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HISTORY OF THE FAMILY 

OF 

BENJAMIN SNOW 

Who is a DESCENDANT of RICHARD SNOW 

o f II' O B U R X, M A S S A C H L' S £ T T S. 



Compiled and FnhlisUcd by Owts X. ^^"ILCOX. 
CLEvKLAXf), Ohio, L'. S. A. * * ^ rgo7. 



"I have rver liad pleai^nrc in obtaining any little anccriotrs of my 
ancestors." — Bkn'Jamin Franklin. 



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f^rcss of The Gates Legal Puhlishiiig Company. Cleveland. O. 

1907. 



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TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

«^ t^ eJw 

HISTORICAL AND LITERARY. 

«i5" t5* «^ 

PREFACE. 

FOREWORD. 

THE EARLY SNOWS 

TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE , 

RECORD HISTORY J 

RICHARD SNOW OF' Wo'bURN J 

SECOND GENERATION ,J 

THIRD GENERATION . J, 

FOURTH GENERATION Jf 

FIFTH GENERATION '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'..'. 13 

BENJAMIN SNOW. 

SIXTH GENERATION 

RENJAiMIN SNOW'S REGIMENT 27 

BENJAMIN SNOW AT DARTMOUTH 00 

ELIZABETH PAYSON SNOW Z 

BENJAMIN SNOW IN BUSINESS „ 

DEED. BENJ. SNOW TO MOODY % 

DEED BY BENJ. SNOW .1 

BOND OF BENJ. SNOW TO TOWN OF BATH 40 

BOND OF BENJ. SNOW TO COX Z 

BOND TO BARTLETT & HANDFORD I^ 

LETTER BY BENJAMIN SNOW 44 

BENJAMIN SNOW'S BROTHERS AND SISTERS.".'.'.'.'.' 46 

EMIGRATION OF FAMILY OF BENJAMIN SNOW. . ' . ' . . . 53 

EMIGR.ATION LETTERS .q 

LETTERS BY RU.SS SNOW eg' r,V 70 

LETTERS BY DR. E. W. SNOW... 77 70 yg 

LETTER BY DR. E. W. SNOW 81 

LETTER BY DR. E. W. SNOW AND WIFE c>7 

LETTER BY CHARLOTTE L. SNOW q< 

LETTER BY TILESTON AND E. W SNOW 97 

LETTER BY E. W. AND DORCAS SNOW Z 

LETTER BY E. W. SNOW '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'..'" 92 

ORIGIN OF SOME FAMILY NAMES 97 

HENRY HOLLAND SNOW IQ5 

DEED. HENRY H. TO RUSS SNOW inq 

fip-MPv^'x?^^^'^^-^ °^ '^^'^^^^^ '•SNOVVVILLE"'.'.'.'."' " m 
HENRY HOLLAND SNOW'S CHILDREN 1 1 

7?^^l^^'^^'^ °^ ^^^E (LOUISE A. WILl'eTT) 114 

LETTERS BY LOUISE SNOW WILLETT 17' Vl's 119 

LETTER BY ALEXANDER AND CH^r'lo'tTF L 
SNOW i-wiir, ^- 



LETTER BY ALEXANDER SNOW 125 

LETTERS BY CHARLOTTE L. SNOW 129, 130, 131, 132 

LETTER BY KATE F. BARNES 141 

LETTER BY E. PAYSON SNOW 146 

LETTER BY AUGUSTA SNOW 156 

FLORIDA LE:TTER BY WM. SULLIVAN SNOW 160 

TILESTON SNOW 171 

LETTER AND POEM BY TILESTON SNOW 172, 173 

LETTER BY TILESTON SNOW 174 

DEED. TILESTON TO RUSS SNOW ■ 176 

DEED. TILESTON TO RUSS SNOW 177 

LETTER BY RUSS A. SNOW 182 

LETTERS BY AMANDA P. SNOW 185, 187 

LETTER BY FANNY F. VAN VOORHEES 195 

LETTER BY BENJ. FLAVEL SNOW 211 

"THE EARLY DAYS IN MINNESOTA" 212 

"LOOKING BACKWARD" 215 

"THE LAKE IN THE WOOD," POEM BY B. F. SNOW.. 223 
LETTER BY B. F. SNOW 224 

RUSS SNOW 239 

THE BIOGRAPHY OF A PIONEER FARMER . . . ! 241 

RUSS SNOW'S MILITARY COMMISSIONS 244, 245 

DEED, RUSS SNOW TO MARK BACON 245 

RUTH HIBBARD SNOW 248, 255 

TIMOTHY HIBBARD 248 

CHILDREN OF TIMOTHY HIBBARD AND SARAH 

CHAMBERLAIN 250 

LETTERS BY TIMOTHY HIBBARD 251,253 

LETTER BY JOHN C. AND DAVID HIBBARD 255 

RUSS SNOW IN OHIO 258 

DOCUMENTS BY RUSS SNOW 259, 261 

RUSS SNOW AND THE BRECKSVILLE SCHOOLS... 263 

ANECDOTES OF RUSS SNOW 271 

"THE BRICK HOUSE" 284 

LETTER BY CHARLOTTE L. SNOW 323 

SNOW F.A.MILY REUNION 326 

LOUISA SNOVsf 333 

DEED, LOUISA TO RUSS SNOW 334 

AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL (E. W. STOCKER) 336 

SAN FRANCISCO DISASTER LETTERS (J. P. 

STOCKER) 342, 343 

POEMS BY HELEN VAN ANDERSON 355, 356 

ELEAZER V/HEELOCK SNOW 363 

LETTER BY DR. E. W. SNOW 365 

LETTERS BY HELEN (SNOW) FORD 369, 371 

LETTER BY AMANDA P. SNOW 375 

LETTERS BY LAVINA REED SNOW.. 383,384 



PREFACE. 

The following paragraphs are intended by the writer to 
be, not a conventional preface, but a sort of family introduc- 
tion, and are written with the hope that the ensuing pages 
may help in a slight way to bring together and make ac- 
(juainted whh one another the many dozens of cousins in va- 
rious parts of the country who ha\-e the blood of a common 
ancestor and yet are in a great measure absolute strangers 
to one another. 

The idea of a genealogy of the family of Benjamin Snow 
originated with Ida May Snow, of Cleveland, Ohio, daughter 
of H. H. Snow, son of Russ Snow, son of Benjamin Snow, 
and the pioneer work of gathering genealogical statistics was 
borne by lier and her cousin. Dr. Minabel Snow, daughter of 
H. H. Snow's brother, O. P. Snow. They began their task 
in Cleveland about the year 1900, Ida M. devising the ways 
and means and Dr. Minabel assuming the work of corre- 
spondence. It was they who prepared and had printed the 
blanks for family data which have come to the hands of nearly 
every one of this extensive family, of a generation as recent 
as their own, in whatever part of the United States. 

After the accumulation of a very considerable amount 
of information, the work was dropped without any definite 
plans for a book having been made, and nothing was done 
for several years until the fall of 1906, when the data that 
had been amassed was turned (n-er to the writer for compila- 
tion and reduction into book form. This necessitated a re- 
newed correspondence to secure the additions and changes 
which time had wrought in the fact sheets originally returned, 
and to obtain matter of a liuman and literary character in 
fhe shai^e of letters and documents. In the collection of this 
last material the writer feels that he has been very fortunate 
mdeed. for there have been brought to light a great many old 
fVmily papers whose existence was forgotten or whose con- 
tents had never been read. 

One great mine of these papers was a little green wooden 
trunk, the property of Benjamin's son. Russ. brought by his 



family from Maine to Ohio and now in the home of his grand- 
son, Harry Ward Snow, of Brecksville, Ohio, and in which 
he kept many carefully cherished letters, l>onds. deeds and 
documents of a legal character. The facsimile signatures 
which appear in this book were taken from old deeds in this 
little green trunk. It is fortunate for the family that it was 
his habit to be fastidious about the preservation of such relics. 

The majority of the letters appearing herein that relate 
to the removal of the Snows from Maine to Ohio, fell into the 
possession of Russ' oldest daughter, Charlotte, after his death, 
and for their timely production for use in this book, we are 
indebted to her daughter, Mrs. K. F. Barnes, of Cedar Rap- 
ids, Iowa, and to her son, Corwin Russ Snow, Sr., of Key- 
stone, Iowa, both of whom in ''digging up" old papers and 
writing biographical sketches, have done yeoman's service in 
making this volume a possibility. 

The traditional history of the early Snows has been 
largely prepared from notes and memoranda furnished by 
John Milton Snow, of x^lpine, California, son of Tileston. son 
of Benjamin, and but for his efficient aid the search for au- 
thentic record data would have been much slower and some- 
what discouraging. 

Especial credit must be given to Benjamin Flavel Snow, 
of Big Lake. Minnesota, son of Tileston. for his active assist- /' 

ance in representing the Minnesota Snows and in detailing for / 

us in charming recollections many facts in the lives of his 
family and the early New England days of this "tribe of 
Benjamin." His own big family can justly be proud of its 
father and grandfather, and glad that he has striven so earn- 
estly to preserve for them family history' that might other- 
wise have been neglected and forgotten. 

Locally, the writer has received very material assistance' 
from Henry Holland Carter. Bertha M. Carter and Marga- 
ret Knowlton Wilcox — to say nothing of constant advice, 
help and encouragement from the original promoters of the. 
book — and throughout the country at large he is under obli- 
gation to all those who have kindly sent him papers, letter^, 
sketches and facts of family history. 

Owen N. Wilcox. 
Cleveland, Ohio, February 22, 1907. 



Payson. and what we know of their progenitors. The second 
section relates, first, to The Emigration of the Snow Family, 
consisting chiefly of letters by Benjamin's cnildren written 
at the time, and secondly, contains some notes on the Deriva- 
tion of the F'amily Names. The next five sections concern 
themselves with Benjamin's five children and their families, 
respectively, Henry, Tileston, Russ, Louise and Eleazer Whee- 
lock. A ''bird's-eye view" chart is prefixed to each of these 
divisions, and it is hoj^ed that the arrangement of each family 
section will make the same intelligible to the "cousins" rep- 
resented in the others. 

in conclusion, the writer wishes to say that this book is 
not a jjerfect genealogy. There are bound to be some omis- 
sions and errors of dates or facts in it. To make such a book 
a thing of absolute reliability would require years of research 
and the co-operation of man)- active co-workers. There has 
obviously been no opportunity in the composition of this book 
to reap the benefit of such advantages. It is, however, a 
substantially complete and reasonably reliable History of the 
Family of Benjamin Snow, and it is offered to the family at 
large with the assurance that it has been issued at the expense 
of a great deal of time and effort ; with the hope that it will 
be accepted in a spirit charitably disposed ; and with the re- 
quest that everybody remember that any visible neglect of 
person or family is the result of inability to get material and 
not to lack of an attempt. O. N. W. 



FOREWORD. 

.\ fault usually to be found with genealogies is that 
they are dry. dusty and uninteresting compendiunis of births, 
marriages and deaths, and afford no more enjoyable reading 
than ihe pages of a dictionary or an encyclopoedia ; and it is 
seldom, moreover, that a reader can be found as easily satis- 
tied as the genial old lady who declared she was immensely 
fond of reading the dictionary, "the stories always turned out 
so well." 'I'his being the case, ii has been the aim of those 
who ha\e had "'a finger in the pie" of preparing these pages, 
to make the cmUents as unlike the conventional genealogy as 
possible, and to that end it has l>een designed to be, so to 
speak, a family story and picture book. 

Having brought to light so much valuable material, from 
so man) sources, and representing the contributions of cousins 
in so mam parts of the country, it has seemed to the com- 
pilers that it would be exceedingly unfortunate if this col- 
lection were not given to every member of the family who 
i::\\'tii\ to know about it. instead of letting him live out his 
days with a few scattered fragments o{ facts about his own 
immediate ancestors, and those fragments i)erhaps of an un- 
certain and tnireliable nature. And so it has been planned to 
make this book an historical narrative and not a mere com- 
pendium, and the compilers feel secure in saying — although 
not to take credit to themselve.s — that the book contains ampler 
information about the family at large than is possessed by any 
one individual or group in it, and in some instances, more 
about their own immediate fathers than the members of the 
group themselves knew. 

The thought has occurred to the writer a great many 
times as he has read and copied the letters that appear herein, 
and doubtless will occur to the readers of the book, that the 
time which has elapsed since the life and death of Benjamin 
Snow is not so very great, and indeed it does not seem long, 
the letters are so human and so intimate in tone, and give one 
such a feeling of nearness to the times described. However, 
the recollection of a few salient events in our national his- 



tory destroys the illusion of nearness, lengthens the inter- 
vening years, and puts Benjamin Snow far back in the re- 
mote past. To realize this, we have but to remember that 
Benjamin was a youth during the French and Indian Wars; 
that he had reached manJiood before the Battle of Bunker 
Hill was fought; that the Naval War of 1812 had just ended 
when he died; that the Mexican War, the long anti- 
slavery agitation and the great Civil War had come and gone 
before the death of all his children; and finally that the Uniled 
States Government and its entire history have been made, and 
the administrations of its twenty-six Presidents ha\e been run 
since his services as a soldier in the making of the nation were 
rendered. 

If this were not sufficient, the realization would surely 
come home to us when we recall that, although Benjamin had 
only five children who raised families— of which we are a 
part — at the present time there are several hundred of us who 
are his grandchildren, his great, his great, great, and his 
great, great, great grandchildren ; and that while his five 
children were all born under his single roof-tree, we have 
been born under dozens of different roof-trees, and in widely 
separated States; and tliat finally, not only have we not all 
seen one another, but some of us never will see the rest of us. 

Indeed, when all of these things are borne in upon our 
minds, then it does appear that a long periotl has elapsed since 
Benjamin Snow lived, and we see in plainest fasliion that un- 
less reliable records are consistently maintained. Time, the great 
concealer of facts and things, will effectually obliterate the 
traces of our fathers, whereas if the tree had grown in a 
few short years, the complexity of its limbs and branches 
would disappear, and simplicity would prevail instead, for the 
dead and dropped twigs would not yet have been swept away. 

It has further been the design to make the book as 
plain and understandable as possible, and thus to obxiate an- 
other fault usually to be met with in the conventional geneal- 
ogy, namely, the rlifficulty of getting, as it were, "a bird's- 
eye view'' of the family or a branch of it at a single glance, 
and seeing the same as a whole, instead of in isolated sections, 
the first of which is forgotten before the last is reached. 
Reference to the Table of Contents will show that the book 
is divided into sections. The first relates to 'i'he Early Snows, 
including the families of Benjamin and his wife, Elizabeth 



ERRATA. 

Now that this book is finished, the compiler wishes to reiterate — to 
a certain extent by way of apology— that which was stated in the last para- 
graph of the "Foreword," /. c, that "this book is not a perfect genealogy" 
There are a few typographical errors in it, and some few errors of 
fact, but the writer is generously assured that every book, no matter how 
fine the edition, contains a few typographical errors. Therefore, pleading 
this in extenuation, he wishes simply to claim the benefit of his statement 
that the work "is substantially complete and reasonably reliable." Beyond 
that, he craves the kind indulgence of his readers, at the same time as- 
suring them that he laments the visible shortcomings of the book much 
more than they can. 

Page 86. Date of letter should be Jan. 5, 1895, not 1875. 

Page 176. Tileston Snow's father-in-law, John Heath, did not lose arm 
in Revolution, but his wife's grandfather, Ebenezer Kentfield, 
lost arm in French and Indian War. (See page 230.) 

Page 176. Date of Russ Snow's removal from Bath to Atkinson in 
italic sentence should be 1822, not 1882. 

Page 180. Milton Tileston Hamlet is a fanner, not merchant. 

Page 188. Sentence near end should read, "Milton, George and Eliza 
and Husband are there." Husband, not Hibbard. 

Page 198. Alvia C. Hamlet's child, Theodore Lewis, was born Sept. 20, 
1904, not 1905. 

Page 202. Cora Arbo's oldest child, Erwin A. Arbo, died at Onazva, 
Me., not Onana. 

Page 291. Five lines from bottom. Protracted, not protacted. 



XTbe iBatl^ Snows. 



Zbc learli? Snows. 

This volume concerns itself with the iuicestors, as far as 
they are known, of Uenjaniin Snow, who was born at Ply- 
mouth. New Hampshire, in the year 1754. and with the de- 
scendants of Benjamin and his five children, Henry, Tileston, 
Russ, Louisa and Eleazer W'heelock. 

Until a recent date Benjamin Snow's descentlants pos- 
sessed very little i)ositi\e informiition about his forebears. 
His father's name was known to be tienry and about Henry's 
family considerable was known. But between Henry and 
the two reputed founders of the Snow family in America was 
a break which no descendant of Benjamin had ever succeeded 
in bridging. 

it was a cijmmon tradition in the family, handed down 
by word of mouth from generatiun t(j generation, that Henry 
Snow was descended from John Snow-, one of two brothers, 
John and Nicholas, who came over from England in the "good 
ship Anne" in the summer of 1623 and settled at Plymouth, 
Massachusetts, but recent discoveries in the State papers of 
New Hampshire ha\ e to a certain extent exploded the tradi- 
tion and brought to light, as the founder of the family, a hith- 
erto practically unknown ancestor who was never even con- 
sidered as a "dark horse" in the search among the "'possibil- 
ities" for the first and original family father. 

The tradition is not completely destroyed, however, for, 
although the founder of the family has been shown to be, not 
John, the brother of Nicholas, as supposed, yet he had a son 
bearing- that name, who was the second in the line of descent 
and who li\'e(l in the time of Nicholas. The mists of ances- 
tral ignorance, so to speak, which, owing to the great lapse 
of time quite naturally hang over the dim past, are doubtless 
responsible for confusing his identity and giving rise to the 
belief that he was a brother of Nicholas Snow, the history of 
whose family has been (|uite extensively preserved. 

This Nicholas Snow lived at Plymoutli twenty-one years 
after landing from the ship Anne in 1623, for we learn that 



in 1644 h^ rnoved his residence and settled in Eastham, Mas- 
sachusetts. One of his biographers says of him : "It should 
be remembered that Nicholas Snow was the ancestor of prac- 
tically all I hose thai bear the name of Snow, who came from 
the towns ui Barnstable County, Cape Cod." He states also 
that "Isaac Snow," fourth generation from Nicholas, moved 
to Brunswick. Maine, and founded that branch of the family. 

It would be interesting as showing how little people 
sometimes know about their fathers, to relate some of the 
difficulties encountered by those who have had a share in the 
preparation of this volume, in securing family history, and 
many of the letters received would furnish enjoyable read- 
ing, as they show how family chains are welded, bit by bit, 
but time and lack of space forbid. 

However, before proceeding to relate the authentic rec- 
ord history uf the family, which recent research has disclosed, 
the writer feels constrained to present here the letter and notes 
following, written to one of those who conceived this book, by 
J. Milton Snow, of Alpine, California, son of Tileston, and 
grandson of Benjamiti. He desires to do this because of the 
interest which the writer of the letter has taken in the work 
and because his notes contain the fullest account of Benjamin 
Snow's family that was in existence when the compilation of 
this book w'as begun : 

Ai,PiNK, Calif.. Dec. 7. 1900. 
Dear Niece : 

Your letter, speaking of the intention to get up a Snow 
Histor\- was received some days ago. Since its receipt, I have 
Ijeen too busy to think of anything, but plowing and seeding, 
and am too busy now to write anything more than just to tell 
you that 1 shall be more than willing to do anything 1 can to 
help in the matter. 

1 ha\'e been trying for a good many years to collect items 
of family history, but have succeeded only to a very limited ex- 
tent. .\s I ha\-e time, 1 will co])y such matters as I have or 
can think of and have them ready to send for use in writing 
the history you speak of. 

Yours truly, 

J. M. Snow. 



In the foregoing letter J. Milton Snow refers to his de- 
sire to write down all available items of family history for fu- 
ture use. The writer is pleased to say that he was not long 
in making good his word, and is exceedingly glad that he 
found time in less than three months to write the \ cry inter- 
esting letter concerning Benjamin Snow, which will he tound 
in the chapter devoted to him. and the following account of 
the family of his father. Henry, which ma\- he called the tra- 
ditional knowledge of the Early Snow s : 

(Copy of Memo by ./. Milton Snoic. Alpine. Cat.) 

'"Two brothers. John and Nicholas Snow, came over from 
England in "the good ship .Xnne'" in the summer of 1623. and 
settled in Plymouth, .\fterward John went to New Hamp- 
shire and Nicholas settled at some place on the coast. 

"John, according to tradition, was the ancestor of all the 
old time N. H. Snows, and among the rest, of Henry Snow, 
father of Benjamin. Henry married a widow whose first 
husband's name was P'rost and whose maiden name was Russt. 
Their children were Benjamin. Nehemiah. Henry and a 
daughter, who married a Bailey, of Plymouth. N. H. (and 
perhaps other daughters). 

"Henry Snow lived ( ? ) at tirst at Nottingham and aft- 
erward probably at Plymouth. N. H.. where his widow lived 
after his death. The three Snows were sc^ldiers of the Revolu- 
tion. Benj. and (T think) Nehemiah. held commissions — 
lieutenant or ensign. Henry was a member of Washington's 
Life Guard and died in the army. 

"Nehemiah (Uncle Meez ) went to Canada after the war 
and settled on the St. Francis River, at Compton ( ?") near 
Sherbrook. where he had a grant of land from the English 
Government — 1 square mile. He had to take the oath of al- 
legiance. His descendants are still living in Canada. 

"After the war Benjamin traveled in Nova Scotia, where 
he met Elizabeth Payson. then of Annapolis. N. S. (1 think"), 
whom he married. He taught a private grammar school in 
the city of St. Johns. Nova Scotia, and was interested in a 
fishery. He would have l>een entitled to a large grant of land 
as teacher of the first grammar school in the city, if he had 
been willing to remain — giving up his .\merican citizenship. 

"He returned to New Hampshire where he lived a while 
with his mother at Plymouth and moved to Bath where he 



died. His farm in Bath was where the Ammonoosuc joins 
the Connecticut. 

"He was a member and 1 beHeve a graduate of Dart- 
mouth College, lie left college soon after the beginning of 
the war and joined the army under Gen. Sullivan. He was 
at the battle of ■Monmouth and other engagements. 

"He prepared for college at Londondery. N. H.. among 
the "North of Ireland" people, who had a better school than 
was elsewhere in his reach. 

"He never studied English grammar, but was a fine 
Greek and Latin scholar. Eleazer Wheelock was President 
of Dartmouth when Benj. Snow was a member of the col- 



lege 



j> 



RECORD HISTORY. 

In the early spring of 1907 it occurred to tlie writer to 
coniniufiicate vvitli the New England Historic Genealogical 
Society, located at Boston. Massachusetts, and make inqui- 
ries concerning the "missing links" in Benjamin Snow's fam- 
ily chain and disco\er, if possible, some record history of the 
early representatives of the family to fill up the defects in the 
traditional history. This was done as a "last chance," before 
going to print, and with slight hopes of success, but to the 
writer's unboundetl delight, he received from Miss Ella F. 
Elliott, a New England genealogist, a brief outline of the very 
facts he wanted, sufficient in extent, however, to enable him 
by personal examination of the records and files to make up 
a very complete and satisfactory sketch oi the pioneer New 
England Snows. 

It would have been \try difficult, however, not only for 
the writer, but also for the Miss Elliott, above referred to. to 
have found any traces of the matter sought, had it not been 
for the publication in the year 1906 of a very imposing two 
volume history of the town of Plymouth. New Hampshire, the 
place of Benjamin Snow's birth. This book was the work of 
Mr. Ezra Stearns, the author of the histories of several New 
England towns, and other works, and. according to general 
repute, a very careful, thorough and painstaking genealogist. 
His Plymouth book is divided into two parts, the first volume 
being devoted to "narrative" and the second to "genealogi- 
cal" matter. The first volume contains what is known ;';/ Ply- 
mouth of Benjamin and his forebears — and is especially inter- 
esting because of its references to Benjamin's Revolutionary 
record, which will appear hereinafter — and the second 
contains the vital .statistics of the founders of the family in 
America, showing it to have had its origin in Woburn. Mas- 
sachusetts, and to have started with one Richard Snow, a 
resident there in 1645. the earliest authentic date in the his- 
tory of the family. 

As remarked above, if it had not been for the publication 
of this interesting and reliable work, the result of Mr. Stearns' 
years of study f>f genealogical matters, and intimate acquaint- 
ance with New England records, it is hardly probable that 
any searcher would have stumbled onto the Woburn Snows, 
for there has ne\er been anv tradition in the familv <^f rela- 



tionship with that Snow who was the undoubted founder of 
Benjamin's line — Richard Snow, of W'oburn. Even Mr. 
Stearns' information about this man is in a measure second 
hand, inasmuch as he (iisci'vcrcd Richard in vSewall's history 
of.'^Voburn and then verified the facts there stated from the 
original records — which the writer of this has hkewise done. 

RICHARD SNOW. OF WOBURX. FOUNDER OF THE 
FAMILY OF BENJAMIN SNOW. 

When Richard Snow came to :\merica. or when he was 
born — if perchance his parents came before his birth — seems 
to be a matter incapable of exact proof. 

The family tradition that the founder of that branch 
of the Snow family in America of which Benjamin was a part. 
came over in the ship "Anne" in 1623. seems to be completely 
exploded, as does also the tradition of his beini;- accompanied 
by a brother named John. A careful examination of the pas- 
senger list of the ".\nne" shows only one Snow, and that one 
Nicholas, who married Constance Hopkins, one ()f the com- 
pany of the '"Mayflower." 

Therefore. ha\-ing" established that Fjenjamin was de- 
scetided from Richard of Woburn, it remained in order to 
complete the tale, to discover when Richard came to America. 
SewalVs History of W^oburn. Mass.. and Stearns' History of 
Plymouth. N. H.. both of which are elaborate and exhaustive 
works on the subjects treated, are silent on this ]ioint. Stearns' 
simply says: "Richard Snow was resident in Woburn in 
T645." '^^^^ Sewall's words are: "He was taxed in the Rate 
for the County, assessed 8 Sept. ^(^4^,. which \\as the first tax 
in Woburn upon record." 

Failing to discover anything u|»n this point in these 
books, the writer consulted the two l)est authorities on the 
settlers of New England, which are Hotten's "Original Lists" 
and Drake's "Founders of New England." In the former at 
page T41. and in the latter at page 113, appears a list of t'v. 
ship's company of the ''Expedition," which sailed from the 
port of London November 20, r635, and among the men 
named is one Richard Snow, whose ag'e was given at the time 
of sailing as 28 years. The Caption to the list is in the follow- 
ing quaint wording: ' 



20 XOYEMBRIS 1635. 
Tlieis under written names are to be transported to the 
Barbadoes. inibarqued in ihe "P^xpedition." Peter Blackler, 
Mstr. The Men have taken the oaths ui AUej^iance and vSii- 
preniacie. .\nd have been examined by the minister of t' " 
Towne of Gravesend touching their Conformitie to the orders 
and (lisciphne of the Church of England (He et Ao prd. 

This is the only Richard vSnow. who ap})ears to ha\e 
settled in New England at a time suflficiently early to have be- 
come a proprietor in Wolun-n in 1645, which recei^•ed its char- 
ter in 1640. but it is impossible to say with certainty that 
Richard Snow, of VVoburn, and Richard Snow, of the "Ex- 
pedition." are one and the same person. If it were, then the 
Benjamin Snow branch of the family was probably settled in 
1635. or about 12 years after the Nicholas branch. One dif- 
ficulty standing in the way of this assumption is the fact that 
if the two are identical and Richard Snow of the "Expedi- 
tion" was 28 years old upon the sailing of the ship in 1635. 
and died in 171 1. which we know to be the date of the death 
of Richard Snow, of Woburn. then the founder of the family 
must have attained to the ripe old age of 105 years, a cir- 
cumstance that is possible but hardly probable. To be sure, 
men sometimes lived to be extremely old in those hard pio- 
tieer days, and it may have l>een the case with Richard, but we 
can never know. He of the "Expedition" may have been the 
father of him of Woburn. The records in the New England 
Historic Genealogical Society are all either originals or tran- 
scripts of originals, and are the most complete and reliable in 
existence, but they throw no light on this subject. The onl\- 
approach to a hint in the Register of the Society is the fol- 
lowing in Vol. 47. page 81 : "Nicholas. Anthony and William 
came over earl}-. There ivas also a Richard of Woburn, and 
Thomas of Boston." 

Samuel Sewall in his History of Woburn. Massachu- 
setts, speaks of Richard Snow as follows : "Richard Snow 
was the earliest inhabitant of \\^oburn bearing his name. He 
was taxed there in the Rate for the County, assessed 8 Sept. 
1645. which was tlie first tax in Woburn uixin Record. In 
1647-8 land was granted him by the town. He bought. 19 Nov. 
1656. a house and 20 acres of land of George Earley. one of the 
original inhabitants of Woburti, then recentiv removed to 



8 

Billerica ; and in the general distribution of common lands and 
timber, made in 1668, he had a due proportion assigned him 
in the "fifth eighth." He seems to have been an industrious, 
thriving husbandman, and to have maintained a respectable 
rank in Society ; but not being ambitious of honor and distinc- 
tion, he never attained to any considerable office either in the 
church or town. He died 9 Nov. 171 1. 

Besides (i) John and (2) James Snow, sons apparently 
his, born before he came to Woburn to reside, he had born 
to him afterwards : 

(3) Daniel, b. 5 Feb. 1644-5; died July, 1646. 

(4) Samuel, b. 28 May, 1647. 

(5) Zechariah. b. 29 March, 1649; was wounded in 
the Swamp or Narraganset Fight with the Indians, 19 Dec. 
1675, and died 14 April, 171 1. His (Zechariah's) homestead 
in Wyman Lane was sold after his death. July 11. 171 1, to 
Benj. Wyman, tanner." 

(The story of the Stvamp Fight is introduced at this 
point for the reason that the event is familiar to every Ameri- 
can school hoy and girl because of the prominence given it in 
the school histories, and because it seemed to the compiler that 
if should be a source of pride to those Snow children into 
whose hands this book may come, to know that they are of the 
blood of one of those who participated in the bloodv fight so 
many decades ago.) 

The following is an account of the Swamp Fight (dur- 
ing King Philip's War) in which Zechariah Snow. Richard's 
youngest son, participated, taken from Sewall's History of 
Woburn, together with some account of the share in it of the 
men of Woburn. 

Sewall says: "August 2. 1675, an order came from Ed- 
ward Rawson. Secretary of the Colony to the Constable of 
Woburn, 'to impresse five able and sufficient horses, well shod 
and furnisht with bridles and saddles, fitt for the service of 
the County: and bring them to Capt. Davis' house in Boston 
by eight of the clock in the morning.' " About December 
1st. 1675, when preparations were making "for the Narra- 
ganset expedition, thirteen soldiers were impressed from Wo- 
burn." and among this list of thirteen appears the name of 
Zechariah Snow. 



Continuing. Sewall says: "In addition to the thirteen 
men, referred to above, as forced into war from Woburn by 
impressment, this town appears from its Records, from the 
Records of Hon. John Hull. Esq.. Treasurer of the Colony in 
1676, and from other reliable authorities, to have furnished 
for the war forty-five others, who voluntarily enlisted in the 
service, or who were drafted for it by lot. They were all cit- 
izens of the town, or the minor sons of citizens when the war 
began ; were most of them here born and brought up. * * *. 
and they constituted almost a third part of all the male rata- 
ble persons in the town in 1675. who were then in number 
only 140. 

"December 19, 1675. was fought the memorable battle 
between the English and the Indians, called the vSwamp Eight, 
or Narraganset Eort Eight, from the circumstances of its be- 
ing fought at a fort in the midst of a swamp in the Narra- 
ganset country, within the present bounds of South Kingston. 
Rhode Island. All of the men enlisted or impressed from 
Woburn. appear to have taken part in that bloody engage- 
ment." 

Sewall describes the fight as follows : 

"The commissioners of the United Colonies of New Eng- 
land (viz.. Massachusetts. Plymouth and Connecticut) hav- 
ing determined in November, 1675, to undertake an expedi- 
tion in the midst of winter into the enemy's country, they 
ordered a thousand men to be raised for this service with all 
possible despatch. * * * 

"The whole army, which amounted to 1135 men. Eng- 
lish and friendly Indians, was commanded by Major Josiah 
Winslow. Governor of the Colony of Plymouth. The Massa- 
chusetts forces marched from Boston, Dec. 8th. and from 
Dedham. Dec. qth. and were joined by those of Plymouth 
soon after, and by tho.'ie of Connecticut. Dec. i8th. about even- 
ing. After spending that night, which was cold and stormy, in 
the open air. they moved on at break of day. Dec. igth. wad- 
ing through the snow, fourteen or fifteen miles. with(Hit either 
fire to warm them, or respite to take any food, save what they 
could chew in their march. 

"At one o'clock P. M.. they arrived at the edge of the 
swamp, the place of their enemy's retreat, whither they were 
conducted by Peter, a disaffected Indian, who told them that 
here they should find Indians enough before night. In the 



10 

midst of this swamp, which was large, the Indians had made 
upon a rising- ground of five or six acres, a fort or an enclos- 
ure of palisades, surrounded by a hedge of about a rod in 
thickness. 

"The only way by which our forces could venture to at- 
tempt an entrance into it. with any chance of safety and suc- 
cess, was over a long tree elevated four or five feet from the 
ground, and even this had a log house erected over against 
it, in which many Indians were stationed, ready to defend 
the passage against all who should approach it. By this pas- 
sage, the Massachusetts men. who were in advance of the 
rest upon entering the swamp, made a bold effort to throw 
themselves into the fort : but two of their captains, Johnson 
and Davenport, were instantly shot down mortally wounded ; 
the former upon the tree, the latter upon getting within the 
palisades. And here commenced a long and sharp conflict be- 
tween the English and Indians. For a considerable time the 
former were obstinately resisted by the Indians, who fought 
with a desperate resolution against their assailants, as they 
attempted an entrance into their fort, or when they had suc- 
ceeded in throwing themselves into it. But nothing could 
daunt the English, or repress the ardor of their attack. "As 
fast as one company was driven back, another stood ready 
to take its place, and to renew its efforts. At length, w^hile 
the main body of the Connecticut forces (who had been sta- 
tioned in the rear) were strenuously fighting their way over 
the tree and before the block house, into the foit, another 
party passed unobserved to the rear of the fort ; and there find- 
ing a vacancy in the palisades, they clambered over the high 
and thick hedge, and, rushing along through the opening, they 
poured a heavy and well directed fire upon the back of the 
enemy. And now the Indians, attacked both in front and rear, 
were gradually compelled to give up resistance, and by one 
way or another to make their escape from the fort. In the 
meanwhile, the English fired their wigwams, in which were 
collected not only their stores of corn for their sustenance 
during the winter, but also many of their old men, women 
and children; and then, having completed this work of destruc- 
tion, they commenced at dusk marching to their head-quar- 
ters fifteen or sixteen miles off, taking with them their wound- 
ed, and the greater part of their dead. 



II 

"But who can describe the horrors of that night! The 
groans of the dying warriors, as they lay thickly strewed on 
the ground in the fort ; the hideous yells of those who es- 
caped, enraged at tlieir defeat, and at the loss of all that was 
dear to them; the heartrending shrieks of old men, women 
and children, perishing in the tiames of about six hundred 
wigwams ; all concurred to render the scene inexpressibly 
shocking, and deeply affected, it is said, the hearts of some 
oi the victors themselves. The loss of the Indians by this 
battle has been differently estimated. According to the con- 
fession of one eminent among them, who was afterwards 
taken in Rhode Island, and put to death in Boston, there fell 
that day seven hundred warriors; and three hundred were 
wounded, who subsequently, the most of them, died of their 
wounds. *It was supposed,' said Rev. Trumbull, concerning 
the Indians, 'It was supposed that three hundred warriors 
were slain, besides many wounded, who afterwards died of 
their wounds, and with the cold. Nearly the same number 
were taken, with three hundred women and children. From 
the number of wigwams in the fort, it is probable that the 
whole number of the Indians was nearly four thousand. 
Those who were not killed in battle, or did not perish in the 
flames, fled to a cedar swamp, where they spent the night with- 
out food, fire or covering.' Of the English, 'six brave cap- 
tains fell in the action, and eighty men were killed or mortally 
wounded. A hundred and fifty men were wounded, who af- 
terwards recovered.' Many of the wounded died in conse- 
quence of their sufferings from the cold, and from the hard- 
ships they endured in their long fatiguing march the night 
after the battle. 'The cold was extreme,' saith Dr. Trumbull, 
'and the snow fell so deep that night, that it was difficult the 
next day for the army to move. Many of the soldiers were 
frozen, and their limbs exceedingly swollen. Four hundred 
were disabled and unfit for duty.' Of those returned after 
the battle from^ the several companies as dead or wounded, the 
following six belonged to Woburn, viz. : 

"Of Major Samuel Appleton's company. Ilia Thatham 
(or, as the name doubtless should have been recorded, Eliah 
Tottingham), wounded and left at Rhode Island, January 6. 
1675-6. 

"Of Capt. Nathaniel Davenport's company. Caleb Si- 
monds, Zechariah Snow and John Baker, wounded. 



12 

"Of Capt. Prentice's troop. John Wvnian. jr.. (son of 
Lieut. John Wyman), and Nathaniel Richardson, wounded." 

FROM SECOND GENERATION. 

The parenthesised figures here follozving indicate the gen- 
erations, beginning zvith Richard (i), and also the individ- 
ual in each generation who was the father of the next succeed- 
ing family in Benjamin Snozv's line of descent. 

(2) JOHN SNOW (Son of Richard and great great- 

grandfather of Benjamin). 
JOHN SNOW, referred to heretofore, as being probably a 
son of Richard Snow (i), born before his father took up his 
residence in Woburn, had : 

(3) I. John, b. 13 May, 1668. 

2. Zerubbabel, b. 14 May, 1672. 

3. Timothy, b. 16 Feb., 1674-5. 

4. Hannah, b. 6 June, 1677. 

5. Mary, b. 4 Aug., 1680. 

6. Ebenezer, b. 6 Oct.. 1682; died 11 Feb., 1703-4. 

7. Nathaniel, b. 17 Nov., 1684. 

(2) JOHN SNOW died 25 Nov., 1706. (No Rec. of 

birth, etc.) 
From this it is apparent that John (2) died five years be- 
fore his father, Richard, who died Nov. 9, 171 1. 

■ 

FROM THIRD GENERATION. 

(3) JOHN SNOW (Son of John (2), and grcat-g-rand- 

father of Benjamin.) 
JOHN SNOW, son of John (2). was born at Woburn, 
May 13, 1668. He was married in 1693 to Sarah Stevens, and 
had in Woburn the following children : 

[. Elizabeth, b. Mar. 18, 1695; '^- J""^ 24, 1698. 

(4) 2. Joseph, b. May 6, 1697; d. May 7, 1747. 
3. Mary. b. Aug. 13. 1699. 

(3) John snow probably removed to Chelmsford, 
Massachusetts, and later to Dunstable. 



13 

FROM FOURTH GENERATION. 

(4) JOSEPH SNOW (Son of John (3) and grandfa- 

ther of Benjamin.) 

Joseph Snow, son of John (3), was horn at VVoburn, 
Massachusetts. May 6, 1697. He settled in the east part of 
Dunstable, which in 1733 became Nottingham West, and later 
Hudson. Ensign John Snow and Joseph Snow were taxed 
in Nottingham West in 1733. Joseph Snow was moderator, 
1736, 1739, a selectman 1734. one of the delegates to the 
General Court of Massachusetts, concerning the incorpora- 
tion of Naticook, 1734, and a Lieutenant. Plis wife was 
Bridget, but a record of his marriage has not been found. He 
ilied in Nottingham West, May 7, 1747. Bridget, his widow, 
came to Plymouth (N. H.) with the younger children, and 
here died Dec. 3, 1773, aged 73. 

The record of birth of four of their children is in Dun- 
stable and also in Hudson record : 

1. Bridget, b. July 29. 1719; m. Thomas Nevins. 

2. Joseph, b. Mar. 19, 1721. 

3. John, b. Jan. 11, 1723: 

(5) 4. Henry, b. Nov. 17, 1725. 

5. Sarah, m. James Blodgett. 

6. Rebecca, m. Rev. Zebediah Richardson. 

7. Elizabeth, m. Edward Evans. 

8. Mary, m. James Harvell. 

FROM FIFTH GENERATION. 

(5) HENRY SNOW (Son of Joseph (4), and father 
of Benjamin.) 

HENRY SNOW, son of Joseph (4)-, w'as born (proba- 
bly in Nottingham West, originally Dunstable) on Novem- 
ber 17, 1725. He was a selectman of Nottingham West, 
1760. and an ensign. He removed to Plymouth after 1764, 
where he died May 11. 1770. He married about 1750 Miriam 
Frost, a widow, but no record of the marriage is extant. After 
his death, she continued to reside, and was annually taxed in 
Plymouth until 1791. She died May 13, 1813, and her will 
was proved July 15, 1814. The record of birth of five chil- 
dren is found in Hudson. A record is not found of the birth 
of Rebecca, who is named in the will of her mother. 



14 

I. Rebecca, ; in. Butler. 

(6) 2. Benjamin, b. Dec. 15. 1754; d. 1817. 

3. Henry, b. April 17, 1757; d. in army Oct. 25, 

1779. 

4. Nehemiah. b. April 4, 1759. 

5. Miriam, b. Aug. 16, 1761 ; m. Solomon Bayley. 

6. Robert, b. Jan'y 11, 1764; d. young. 

One of Benjamin's grandchildren. Charlotte Snow, 
daughter of Russ, was authority for the existence of another 
child in the family just enumerated, by the name of Charles, 
but inasmuch as this Charles SnoAv was reputed to have had 
three daughters, Charlotte, Jane and Caroline, which were the 
names of the daughters of Benjamin's brother Nehemiah, the 
supposition is, in the absence of any other reference to said 
Charles either in record or tradition, that Charles and Nehe- 
miah were one and the same person. 

Nehemiah may also have borne the name of Charles, and 
in that way the confusion may have arisen. 

(5) HENRY SNOW. 

Of the character of Henry Snow and of the details of 
his life practically nothing in addition to what has already 
been stated is known. Tiiat he was of an optimistic and buoy- 
ant temper would seem to be indicated by a tradition of the 
family to the effect that he was commonly known as "Harry" 
and was described as "one of the three wits of New Hamp- 
shire." His wife's maiden family name was Russt. and when 
"Harry" Snow married her, she was "the widow Frost." She 
is reported to have refused once to marry a Mr. Hale, and 
the fact that "Harry" Snow did not hestitate to enter into a 
partnership seemingly so "wintry," affords further evidence 
of his probably cheerful disposition. 

At anv rate, we can probably rest assured that "the widow 
Frost" was of a strong Spartan character, and a fit helpmeet 
to one who was born and lived when our country was young 
and rough and undeveloped. There can he no doubt of it, if 
the following stories of her deeds, told by one of the sons of 
Benjamin's son Tileston, be true: 

Henry Snow's Wifk. 
(Thk Widow Frost, nee Russt.) 

"When over 60 vears old, the wife of the first Henry 



IS 

Snow and mother of Benjamin, saw hunters chasing a deer 
across the helds. She hid behind a fence, and as the deer came 
thruug-h an open g'ate, caught him by the Ici^s and held him 
till the hunters came up and killed him. Of course, the deer 
was exhausted or she could not have lield him. 

"When over 90 years old, she rode on horseback and 
alone from Plymouth to Bath, N. II., to visit her son Benja- 
min and forded the 'Wild Ammonoosuc,' River. On her re- 
turn to Plymouth, Benjamin sent his son Tilestun to "see her 
safe home." As they were passing through the "notch' of the 
White ^Mountains and came to a slii)pery place where water 
had flowed across and frozen in the road, her horse slipped 
and fell, hurting her considerably. Tileston helped her on to 
her horse, and they continued their journey to Plymouth. 

"She carried on her farm during the time that her three 
sons were in the army, and did much of the out-door vv^ork 
with her <n\n hands. Those were 'the times that tried' wom- 
en's souls as well as men's. 

"Tileston Snow always spoke of his grandmother as a 
remarkably capable woman." 

It is related that at the end of the remarkable horse-back 
journey mentioned above, which was fifty miles in extent, the 
aged rider dismounted and carried away her saddle herself, 
h would seem, too. that she was as sturdy in her piety as in 
her work and deeds. She taught the Scripture to her children 
and grandchildren with great care. As evidence of her vigor 
in this direction, we have the following anecdote from Cor- 
win R. Snow: "Grandfather Russ told me that his grand- 
mother, the mother of his father. Benjamin Snc^w. used to have 
him stand beside her knee and read the Bible when he was a 
small boy ; that at one such time, he asked her for an explana- 
tion of something which astonished him. Whereupon, said he: 
'She fetched me a slap on the side of my head and told me 
fiez^ir to ask questions about the Bible' " Her methods must 
have l)een efTecti\e, for her son. Benjamin, so it is said, "had 
read the Bible through and again to Psalms at the age of .seven 
years." This feat was probably due in part to his natural pre- 
cocity, for it is also related that "he began the study of Latin 
so young that he did not remember the time." 

Henry Snow. Benjamin's father, ilied May 11. 1770. in 
early middle age (45 years) and his widow survived him bv 
nearly half a century, her death not occurring until May 13. 



i6 

1813, Stearns' History of Plymouth contains a reference to 
her widowhood, and also that of Bridget Snow, her mother- 
in-law, the wife of Joseph Snow. He says on page 63 of his 
first volume : 

"Jn the Autumn of 1773, in response to a requisition of 
Governor VV'entworth, the selectmen of the several towns of 
the province returned a classified census of the population of 
the province. * " * The classified return of Plymouth 
was made by P>enjamin Goold, John Willoughby, and Samuel 
Dearborn, the selectmen for the year, from which it appears 
that the three hundred and forty-five |>ersons living in Ply- 
mouth in the autumn of 1773, were divided as follows: 
"Unmarried men 16 to 60 years of age. ...... 29 

Married men 16 to 60 years of age 57 

Married women 57 

Boys under 16 90 

Females unmarried 107 

Widows 2 

Slaves 3 

Men over 60 — no return. 

Total 345" 

Among the names of the unmarried men 16 to 60 years of age. 
appears that of Benjamin Snow, who is the central figure of 
this book, and we, his descendants, should be peculiarly in- 
terested in the two widows mentioned, for they were respec- 
tively Benjamin's grandmother and mother. Stearns says : 

"The two widows who were not neglected by the select- 
men in an enumeration of the population were Bridget Snow 
(wife of Joseph Snow), who came to Plymouth in widow's 
weeds, and Miriam Snow, widow of Henry Snow, who died 
in Plymouth." 

Miriam Snow, mother of Benjamin, al one time was a 
school teacher. 

In Steams, page 273, Vol. I., appears the following 
entry : 

"There are conflicting traditions concerning the names 
and dates of service of the earlier teachers, in ihis town (Ply- 
mouth). It is reasonable to accept the tradition that Stephen 
Webster, Sr., instructed the children of the neighborhood at 
his home, and it is certain that Jeremiah Blodgett, who died 



17 

in the army in 1776, James flarvell, a substantial citizen, Na- 
than Ward. Jr.. Mrs. Miriam Siimc, Nahuni Powers, and 
Noah Worcester, were teachers in the schools of Plymouth 
before the close of the Re\'olution." Anion^' the names of the 
teachers of No. 4, The South District. api)earr, the following- 
characterization : "Widow Miriam Snow." 



Kcnjamin Snow, 

1754-1817 



21 

FROM SIXTH GEKERATIOK. 

BENJAMIN SNOW. 

THE CENTRAL FIGURE OF THIS BOOK. 

Benjamin Snow, the central figure of this genealogy, was 
born at Plymouth, New Hampshire, on the 15th day of De- 
cember. 1754. In 1783 when traveling in Nova Scotia, he 
met and married at Annapolis. N. S.. a Miss Elizabeth Pay- 
son, who was at the time temporarily residing in Nova Scotia. 
Elizabeth Payson was born on April 27,. 1753. at Dorchester. 
Massachusetts. 

After their marriage. Benjamin and Elizabeth (Payson) 
Snow resided for a number of years at St. Johns. Xrjva Sco- 
tia, and their two oldest children were born there. — Henry 
Holland in 1784. and Tileston on May 5. 1786. .'^onie time 
between the birth of Tileston and the birth of liis third son 
Russ. Benjamin moved from St. Johns to Plymouth. New 
Hampshire, for Russ was born iti the latter place Mav jt. 
1789. Benjamin did not remain long at Plxniouth with his 
faniily. but moved soon to Bath. New Hampshire. The exact 
date of this removal is not known, but it was some time be- 
tween T789 and 1792. for during this period Benjamin and 
Elizabeth f Payson) vSnow had another son whom they named 
Eleazer W'heelock. and who soon died, in fact between these 
dates. This infant was born at Bath. 

Benjamin's fifth child was a daughter. Louise A., born 
at Bath in 1792 or 1794 (exact date not certain), and his sixth 
was another son. born at Bath in 1705. an<l named Eleazer 
Wheelock after the one that died. 

Benjamin died at Bath some time in 1817 at the age of 
63 years and was buried in the same place. In 1822 his fatnily 
moved to Atkinson. Maine, where Elizabeth (Payson) Snow 
died and was buried November 15. 1842. 

Benj.vmin Snow r.\ tht-: RrvVOLuTioxARv War. 
Benjamin Snow's military service in the Revolutionary 
War has already lieen referred to in J. Milton Snow's tradi- 
tional account of the family of Henry. We know of a certain- 
ty, that he held a lieutenant's or ensign's commission, that he 
served under General Sullivan, and that he took part in the 



22 

Battle of Monmouth and other engagements, but this is as far 
as positive knowledge goes. Some of Benjamin's descend- 
ants state that he was with Washington when he crossed 
the Delaware and captured the Hessians at Trenton, and when 
he defeated the English at Princeton, and that he was with 
the army in the dismal camp at Valley Forge, ^^'ithout doubt 
every descendant of Benjamin would be glad to know for 
a certainty that their ancestor did win these last honors, but 
probabl}' the best that can be done is to hope they are 
true and try to be satisfied with knowing that this fore- 
father was a Revolutionary soldier and an otficer. and saw 
honorable service, and that his brother Henry died in the 
armv. 

Corwin R. Snow has cherished and ])reserved more 
anecdotes of the early Snows than any other one of Benja- 
min's descendants, and a comparison of his anecdotes with 
the records has convinced the writer of the truth of the tradi- 
tional stories of Benjamin's service, and further that we need 
not blush for any of his actions or his memory. Corwin Snow 
says in this connection : "Having received a diploma from 
Dartmouth College. Benjamin accepted a commission as Lieu- 
tenant in the army, in the struggle for independence, and 
fought under the command of the intrepid Irishman. General 
John v'^ullivan. X^'hile thus serving, he corresponded with a 
maiden named Nancy Holland. Nancy wrote Lieutenant 
Snow that her brother had been arrested and was held a pri- 
soner as a Tory. In replying to this. Benjamin wrote Nancy, 
saying that he "hoped her brother would be set at liberty." 
For making this statement in writing. Lieutenant Snow was 
so sexerely reprimanded that he resigned." 

He further says of Benjamin : "He was of \\'^ashing- 
ton's armv at the crossing of the Delaware in December. 1776. 
and with the army at Valley Forge during the winter follow- 
ing. 1777. and probably a considerable time longer." 

The record history of Benjamin's service in the Conti- 
nental Army, from vStearns' History of Plymouth, is especially 
interesting, and corroborative of Corwin Snow's accounts, 
particularlv of the difficulties into which he fell because o^ 
his intercession in behalf of the brother of his friend. Nancy 
Holland. Stearns says : 

"Benjamin Snow was commt.ssioned an ensign in the 
Continental service in 1776, and early in the following year. 



2.3 

it was reported t<i the w^late government that lie declined the 
conimissiun. lie was in the service, and it is probable that he 
resigned, lie was in I'lyniouth in 1777. and while here, he 
wrote several letters t(-) the 'Pories. confined in the jail at Am- 
herst, and was accnsed of being disloyal. He went to Nova 
Scotia, and retnrned to Plymonth. 1787. and was permitted 
to remain in the Stale by a vote of the legislature. He was a 
school teacher, and was taxed here until 1797. He died 181 7." 

Referring tn the circumstance of Benjamin's being sus- 
pected of being a 'Pory. Stearns says: 

"In the Autumn of 1776. Benjamin Snow, of Plym<iutli, 
was appointed an ensign (Second Lieutenant) in the conti- 
nental service, b'rom the information discovered in the arch- 
ives and records of the State, it is certain that he served onl\- 
a few months. He resigned antl came to his home in this 
town in January. 1777. and gave e\ idence oi being disafYectcil 
with the government. Some of his utterances were disap- 
proved by the patriots. Four letters written by him to Tories 
in the jail at Amherst, were intercepted, and the sentiments 
uttered did not escai)e the vigilance of the committee of safety 
ot this town. Rrniorrd from the excitement of the time, the 
letters at th.is date a/^f>ear more foolish than treasonable. The 
committee of safety at I'lyniouth held a meeting for their dis- 
cussion, and forwarded the following communication to the 
government at Exeter : 

Letter from I-raneis Worcester, of riymonth. relating to Bcii- 

jainin Sno7<'. Suspected of being a Tory. 

(State Pap. \'ol. \\. p. 205.) 

"In Committee of Safety of the Town of Plymouth. 

"February 26th. 1777. 

Upon reading and cou.sidcring u number of intercepted 
Letters signed by Benjamin Snow, late an Ensign in the Con- 
tinental Army, which Letters are directed to several persons 
m Amherst su|)posed to be Enimical to their country, and ns 
reported some of them in Jail : Therefore agreed by said Com 
mittee that it appears by said Letters that said Snow mucii 
favors the cause of the Enemies fn 1 lur cnuntrv, and is a dan- 
gerous person to the Commumt}-. and therefore ought to be 
taken care of; and as he. the said Snow, i•^ ai this time in 
Salisbury, thirty nnles fmm hence towards Exeter. Therefore 
it is further agreed by said Committee, That Col. David Web- 



24 

ster and Capt. Samuel Dearborn be desired forthwith to pro- 
ceed to SaHsbnry, or elsewhere and use all means in their 
power for the safety of this State, to apprehend and secure 
said Snow wherever he may be found and immediately pro- 
ceed with him the said Snow to Exeter with the Letters here- 
in referred to and deliver said Snow with said Letters to the 
Committee of Safety of this State for their examination. 

Francis Worcester, Ch. Com. 
N. B. — Said Letters are four in number. 

These letters, written by Benjamin Snow to some person 
or persons in Amherst, most probably to Col. Holland, are 
found in Vol. VI. State Pap. pp. 85, 87, 113. The subjoined 
is a copy of the first letter : 

Plymouth, Jan'y 31, 1777. 

Dear Sir- — Could I by wishino^ transport myself to x^m- 
herst, you might expect to be troubled with my company this 
evening. But as I am deprived of the Pleasure of seeing and 
conversing with or even hearing from you, I shall employ my- 
self in writing to you, and the rest of my friends. 

To see the Harmony and Friendship there is between 
Tories in general, especially in your place of confinement, 
sometimes almost bribes me to throw aside my Whig princi- 
ples. Although I never could understand if persons differ in 
sentiments, why there should be such an abatement of Friend- 
ship, as there commonly is betwixt the League and Loyalists. 
Please to make my compliments agreeable tO' Mr. Tenneslief 
reminding him of our favorite To2iSt-Harmony-shou\d have 
wrote him, but the bearer, Mr. Gould is in a hurry. Hope 
to have the pleasure of seeing you in March — till then, sir, 
your most devoted friend and humbl servt. 

Benja. Snow. 
* * * 

The foregoing, a fair sample of the fonr letters, is found 
in State Papers, Vol. VIII, page 490, and two others, addressed 
to Col. John Holland, then confined in jail at Amherst, zsjere 
as follows : 

Plymouth, Jan'y 31. 1771. 
Honored and much respected sir. 

According to your kind Invitation, have taken this which 



25 

is {\u: lirst upporlmiiU- 1 lia\c had to ac()uaint ynii of my safe 
Arrival at IMymoutb. vSincc my Return Home, Sir, I have 
endeavored to acijiiaint myself A little with the Foundation 
of the unhappy War between Great Britain and tlic Colonies, 
for to my shame, T confess I ne\'er considered so much of that 
Matter as 1 ought to before I engaged in tlie service. vShould 
be extremely glad to ask your advice in something that nearly 
concerns me Init 1 am afraid to till T have the satisfaction of 
seeing you lest my Letter should fall into somebo(l3''s hands 
who might take the advantage of it. I hope before long, sir, 
to hear you released from your Confinement, and receive better 
Treatment from ^our Countrymen than you have in Time past ; 
if I do not shall have the satisfaction of seeing you some time 
in March. T trust, at Amherst — My compliments to Mr. Ten- 
neslief, and Mr. Man (if he has returned), if you please, hope 
when I come down, to see them and yourself as happy as you 
all a]ipeared to be when T left you — 

But. Sir, I fear I shall be troublesome wherefor I beg 
leave to subscribe myself 

Sir 
Your ATost Obedient 
Most Devoted 
and Very humble servant 
Benja. SNOW^ 



Sir. 

Plymouth, Feb'y. 4, 1777. 

After A Tedious Journey of five hundred Miles, have ar- 
rived at length to my Mamma's Fire Side, \A-here we live as 
merry to appearance as you please. .Ml my old acquaintance 
seem glad to see me and treat mc with a great Deal of kind- 
ness, but still T feel discontented and unhappy — T hope you 
enjoy yourself as well as you did when I left you for T al- 
ways shall think the Gentleman confined in Goal and yourself 
are the happiest persons li\'ing. 

T often think I should be willing to suffer or rather en- 
joy the confinement nf them Gentlemen would T be confined 
where there is such Friendship and Harmony — 

T hope to have the pleasure of seeing you the latter End 
of Mairh if nothing extraordinary turns up and talk upon 



26 

an affair which I durst not write of — till then I am with A 
Degree of Pleasure and uneasiness Sir 

Your most sincere 
Friend and humble servant 
Benj. Snow. 
Mr. Holland, be good enough to deliver the Letter in- 
closed to Miss Nancy and you will oblige 

Yours &c 

* * * 

Stearns says further of this incident of the letter writing : 
"No subsequent reference to this case appears in the records, 
and is probable that Lieut. Benjamin Snow was not appre- 
hended. He was a teacher a few years in Nova Scotia, and 
New Brunswick, returning to Plymouth 1787. If his opinion 
in the heat of the Revolution had irritated the patriots, it was 
now forgotten, and he was a school teacher in this town and 
lived in peace with his fellow-men. He died 181 7." 

A casual perusal of these letters suffices to show that they 
are harmless enough and contained but little that would have 
excited suspicion of the writer's principles and patriotism in 
times of peace. It was the condition of the period that made 
them seem dangerous to the zealous Committee of Safety — 
with which we find no fault — and to use the language of the 
historian quoted above : "Removed from the excitement of 
the time, the letters at this date appear more foolish than 
treasonable." We who read the letters with minds prepared 
by family tradition can understand the situation and appreci- 
ate why it was folly to write the letters. The young officer 
was only twenty-three years old and in love with Miss Nancy, 
the sister of the incarcerated Col. Holland, and he quite natur- 
ally took an interest in her brother who had been his friend 
before the outbreak of hostilities. The only words in the three 
letters quoted that sound at all treasonable to us now are the 
following : "I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you the lat- 
ter end of March if nothing extraordinary turns up, and talk 
iipon an affair which I durst not ivritc of'" and the miscon- 
struction that was quite naturally placed ur>on them, would 
seem almost amusinir. if it were not a trifle pathetic. This 
was manifestlv an affair, but simply an affair of the heart, 
with Miss Nancv. and not a matter of State as the Committee 
inferred, and so far. at least. Benjamin was foolish. 



27 

BENJAMIN SNOW'S REGIMENT. 

By a careful siiuly of the New Hampshire Revolutionary 
Rolls, the writer has determined, by internal evidence, as fol- 
lows, the regiment in which Benjamin Snow was appointed 
Ensign and in wiiich he served : 

On page 391. VcjI. 8, New Hampshire Records (State 
Papers) appears the Report of Col. Jona. Blanchard. of the 
committee sent to Ticonderoga, to raise men for the Continent- 
al service. The Report w\is dated at Mount Independence, 
Nov. 8th, 1776, and reads as follows: 

"Mr. Blanchard, one of the Committee appointed by the 
Council and Assembly of this State to repair to Ticonderoga 
to Officer and raise two Battalions for the Continental Army, 
Begs leave to inform the Hon'ble house, that the Com'tee ar- 
riv'd at that place on the jnd day of Nov. Instant: That the 
next day they waited (jn General Gates and advised him : The 
Com'tee likewise consulted the Field Officers and Captains 
now in the army from this State : 'I'hat on the 8th day the 
Com'tee appointed and commissioned the following Gentlemen 
Field Officers, for the tlrst and Second Battalions, viz." 
( Hert^ follows fJic list of iiaiiit's, among them the folio-wing) : 

John Stark, Esquire Colonel 

Joseph Cilley. Esq'r Lieut. Col . . . 

George Reed, Major 

ist Battalion. 
Continuing, the report reads : 

"The several officers enlisted near one hundred men and 
the Com'tee applied to the General to appoint a muster-master, 
but he declined. The Com'tee then appointed Col. David Gil- 
man : he pass'd about thirty (the others immediately u]K)n their 
enlistment had furloughs) they were sworn before Benjamin 
Giles, Esq. 

"The Committee then took under consideration the want 
of money. The immediate release of all the old Troops and 
soon discharge of the militias ; that several Battalions of Jer- 
sey troops were to tarry till March ; and upon the whole, tho't 
adviseable for the service of this State, to leave that place. 
Benjamin Giles and David Gilman. Esq'rs set off for New 
York, to fill up the vacancies in that Department. 

"The Com'tee was as industrious in their business and 
as attentive to their orders as possible, and hope that their do- 



28 

ings will meet the approbation of the General Court. 
"The Com'tee at New York appointed" 

{Here follows list of names) among others these: 

Captain William Scott of Peterborough 

ist Lieut Moody Dustin of Litchfield 

2nd Lieut. . . . Josiah Munro of Amherst 
Ensign Bcnja Snozv of Plyiiionti:." 

In the Revolutionary Rolls of N. H. Vol. 3, page 2, ap- 
pears a return of the officers of the Second New Hampshire 
Regiment as it was finally organized, and the officers in com- 
mand are identically the same men who were commissioned 
with Benjamin Snow on November 8th, 1776, battalion for 
battalion, and from this we can readily discover to what regi- 
ment he was assigned and with which he served, until his in- 
nocent and unfortunate love aft'air with Nancy Holland em- 
broiled him with the Continental government and brought 
upon him unjust and unmerited suspicion of his patriotism and 
loyalty. 

Benjamin's later letters and writings and the stories told 
of him, show him to have been an intelligent and cultured gen- 
tleman, of fine courage and excellent principles. The tone of 
his life was loyal and patriotic, and a perusal of all the litera- 
ture relating to him fails to disclose anything to his discredit. 
In his military service, he was simply the victim of a mistake, 
resulting from the troublous condition of the times, and the 
over-zealous activity of the N. H. Committee of Safety. The 
assault made upon his loyalty apparently hur: his pride and 
offended his dignity, and he was too courageous to disclose to 
those who had no right to know, the truth of his correspond- 
ence, or to drag into his own troubles tlie name of the girl who 
had aroused his interest and won his regard. There is nothing 
in his record for which we, his descendants, r.eed blush, and 
the publication of all the known facts of his life should serve 
to increase, if anything, our veneration for his character, and 
our respect for his memory. 



29 

BENJAMIN SNOW AT DARTMOUTH. 

In J. Milton Snow's manuscript mention is also made of 
Benjamin's attendance at Dartmouth College, when the Elea- 
zer W lieelock, after whom he named his son, was President of 
the college, and of his graduation from the institution. 

The following letter, also written by J. Milton Snow, 
might seem to cast some doubt upon the fact of his gradua- 
tion, but in all probability there can be no question about it. 
It is not at all likely that his wife, who often told her children 
and grandchildren about it, would have been mistaken about 
so important a fact in her husband's youth. However, the 
letter is appended to show how quickly doubt is cast upon 
such facts m people's lives w'hen authentic records, such as 
this and similar volumes seek to preserve, are not carefully 
kept. 

Alpine, Feb. 23, 1901. 
My Dear Niece: 

I have at last taken time to finish writing "what I know" 
of the history of the Snow family. It is possible I have writ- 
ten some things that I don't know but I have tried to make it 
correct. When Cousin Payson was with us at Orange, Cal. 
he told me that he would try to find some of the descendants 
of Nicholas Snow in Massachusetts, and learn something of 
Snow history from them and tell me what he learned, but he 
never afterwards mentioned the matter in any of his letters 
to me. I suppose ill health prevented. If I could only re- 
member the things that I used to hear my Grandmother 
Snow repeat till I w^as tired of listening, I think I could write 
a pretty full history of all of the Snows, Paysons, Tilestons 
and other connections of the family. 

I have always understood that my Grandfather Benja- 
min Snow graduated at Dartmouth. My grandmother cer- 
tainly thought so, as she used to tell of his leaving his diploma 
and his commission with a friend whose name she used to 
give as Methuen, on the Merrimac River, but when I wrote 
to the President of Dartmouth, some 18 or 20 years ago, ask- 
ing for some information in regard to his record in college, 
I got an answer reading something like this : 

"If Benj. Snow was a member of college, wdiich I do 
not doubt, he did not graduate, and there would be no record 
of anything left, but possibly his accounts with the college." 



30 

It seems to me that somehow this must be a mistake. Cousin 
Louisa thinks as 1 do, that grandfather graduated and imme- 
(hately left to joint the army. 

My mother's Uncle Abbot told me once of a tradition 
that the Paysons were Pearsons in England, and that they left 
England at the time of "the restoration" to esca]>e the conse- 
quences of some political offense and thought it i:)rudent to 
make the change in their name. 

At the time of grandmother's death she had made appli- 
cation for a pension as the widow of a Re\olutionar)' 
soldier, the last I heard of which was that she felt very bad be- 
cause she was required to prove her marriage to Benj. Snow. 
She was afraid that someb(xly at Washington doubted the 
fact of her marriage. She died ])efore final action was taken 
on her application. 

When my father and T were in Boston in 1849, one of the 
Paysons there told father that one of the Nova yScotia Pay- 
sons was getting up a history of the Payson famil}-. 

Hoping that you will be very successful in tinding Snow 
histor}-, that others of the family will be al)le to help you 
\'ery much more than 1 can. 1 remain. 

Very sincerely. 

J. A'Ju/roN S.\ow. 

In preparing a book of this sort the absence of record ev- 
idence forces us, whether we wish it or not. to resort to fam- 
ilv traditions for assurance as to facts, and we are ol)liged to 
rely upon their trustworthiness, whatexer that may be, in 
place of achieving certainty. However, carefully cherished 
traditions are sometimes as good, if not better, than illy kept 
records, and we are inclined to put our faith in the traditions 
so far as any certainty about Benjamin Snow's college days 
is concerned. We believe he graduated and find our assur- 
ance in the tradition of his leaving his diploma, and his com- 
mission, which he got soon after graduation, with the friend 
called Methnen on the Merrimac River. We believe, too, that 
he graduated with honor and find onr faith in the tales of his 
])recocity. 

On this point Corwin Snow writes: "It seems to have 
been the custom in those days to educate especia11\' one son 
of a family, and from his four sons "Harry" Snow chose Ben- 
iainin. Benjamin finished his education at Dartmouth Col- 



lege while Eleazer Wheelwk. 1). 1).. was its President. The 
students were required to speak Greek at table while study- 
ing that language, and Latin was so thoroughly mastered that 
when Benjamin sat down to read for recreation in after life. 
he preferred something jirinted in Latin." 

Charlotte and Owen \\ Snow, children of Benjamin's 
third son. Ru.ss. both remembered hearing their grandmother, 
Benjamin's wife, tell abcnit his college days, and the follow- 
ing quaint old song, so they were lold and often repeated, was 
one of Benjamin's college songs. 

TUNE— "The AJousK .\M) thk Frog." 
Amo, amas, 1 love a lass 
As a cedar tall and slender; 
Sweet cowslip's grace 
Is her nominative case. 
And she's of the feminine trender. 

Roruin oorum sunt divoruui 
Harnni scaruni divo: 
Tag rag, merry derry, 
Perriwig and hat-band, 
Hie, hoc. liorum, genitive. 

Oh! how bella my puellal 

I'll kiss secula seculorum; 

If I've luck, sir. 

She's my uxor; 

O dies benedictoruni! 

Rorum corum sunt divorum 
Harnm scarum divo; 
Tag rag, merry, derry, 
Perriwig and hat-band 
Hie, hoc, horum, genitivo. 

.\n interesting e\ent in the life of Benjamin Snow, and 
one which seems to bear out our belief in his courage and 
resourcefulness, was a trip to the West Indies, which accord- 
ing to his son Russ, was made when he was "just tnit of col- 
lege." If this time is correct, it was prior to his military serv- 
ice, and some little time must have elapsed between his grad- 
uation and ihe beginning of his career in the army. We are 
told that on the outward voyage to the Indies "a severe ocean 
.storm was encountered. Going to the captain, in the l^elief 
that the fury of the storm would be increased, Benjamin 
asked for an opinion as to the ability of the vessel to with- 
stand such a storm. The captain replied that all depended 
upon what the passengers would (\n in aid to the sailors. Go- 
ing next to the passengers with words of encouragement, and 



32 

example, he prevailed upon them to go to work with a will, 
and the ship rode out the storm in safety. Benjamin found his 
hands blistered, and received the thanks of the Captain and all 
on board. 

"New trouble next came in the Indies and on the return 
voyage, in the form of yellow fever. Again Benjamin Snow 
came to the forefront, devoted all his abilities to the care of the 
sick, and escaped the disease himself." 

We have no precise knowledge of the date when Ben- 
jamin departed for Nova Scotia. We only know that it was 
sometime between his resignation in 1777 and 1783 when 
he married Elizabeth Payson. The Nancy Holland, who was 
the indirect cause of his resigning his commission, died be- 
tween the dates last mentioned and it is thought that her 
death was perhaps responsible for his departure for Canada. 

As we have noted before, Benjamin's two oldest children, 
Henry Holland and Tileston, were born at St. Johns in Nova 
Scotia, and his departure thence was between 1786 and 1789. 
probably in the year 1787. He moved from St. Johns to his 
birthplace at Plymouth, N. H., where he established a new 
home. It is related that "this removal was by ocean voyage 
to Boston. Having engaged passage on a coasting vessel and 
having been placed on board with his family, he heard the 
Captain give the order to sail, and then discovered that his 
chattels were not on board. Going to the Captain, he told 
him he had no wish to sail without his goods. The Captain 
replied he could not delay sailing to take them on board, where- 
upon Mr. Snow declared that he would not sail without his 
goods, and demanded that he and his family be set ashore. 
This was done and the vessel sailed and was never heard from. 

"Passage on board another vessel was secured, and during 
the voyage a misfortune befell Mrs. Snow, who, being on 
deck, fell or was thrown by the motion of the ship through 
the open hatchway and alighted upon a pile of grind stones. 
Her hip bone was broken, and all the misery and trouble had 
to be endured." 

The preservation of the interesting and lumian tales of 
Benjamin, which are given in these pages, is due to Corwin 
Snow's early habit of writing the substance, if not the actual 
wording, of the recitals of his grandfather Russ. Benjamin's 
third son. Fortunately he succeeded in securing some mem- 
oranda containing the leaven of humor as well as the sober- 



33 

ness of truth, and the writer, for one, is i^lad that this is so, 
for a genealogy which is altogether devoid of fun partakes 
too largely of the character of a monument to make it alto- 
gether enjoyable reading, and an ancient ancestor is conse- 
quently apt to loom up in our imaginations a most solemn fig- 
ure, redoubtable and of mighty achievement, to be sure, but 
not endowed with those happy, genial characteristics which 
make him seem near and dear. 

We do not know, of course, whether Benjamin was jirone 
to provoke laughter by day, but the following is sufficient to 
show that he became, upon occasion, an unconscious humorist 
at least : 

"He, Benjamin, was wont U) talk while dreaming. At 
one such time he said : 'Guess we will try the old lady.' 'Who,' 
said "Bettie.' 'Old mother Eastman, to see how long she can 
live without sustenance.' Very solicitous for the welfare of 
others, this lady came under his observation. He remembered 
her in a pra^yer at Church with these words: 'Lord, bless old 
mother Eastman, for thou knowest she is a poor miserable 
old critter.' " 

In 1790 or 1791 Benjamin moved from Plymouth to 
Bath, as wc have before mentioned, and there, as he lived his 
last years, he planned that one of his sons should remain at 
the home farm and care for his parents through their sunset 
years. He chose Russ to do this and the latter consented so 
to do. But the mother survived the father a great many years 
and Russ had moved to Ohio before she died. 

Benjamin died at Bath at the age of sixty-three years. 
Seeing his wife weep as death drew very near, he said : 
"Don't cry. Bettie. What is about to transpire happens every 
hour in the day." 



34 



ELIZABETH PAYSON SNOW. 
Wife of Benjamin. 

Before proceeding further with the story of Benjamin 
Snow and detailing what we know of his business activities, 
social standing and worldly acquisitions, it has' seemed expe- 
dient to insert here some account of the family of his wife, 
Elizabeth Payson, who from all accounts must have been a 
woman of no little strength and ability, proud of her family 
and her husband, fond of recounting the facts and experiences 
of his life and full of family stories and traditions, which un- 
fortunately have not been transmitted to us. Those whose 
memory reaches back to the last years of her life tell us of 
her fondness for story-telling, but none of them seemingly 
made sufficient mental or written notes of what she said to 
preserve in any detail her fund of anecdotes, and we are 
forced, mucli against our will, to content ourseK-es with the 
bare genealogical facts of her life and family. 

The following record discloses somewhat (3f her ancestry 
anti is a copy of a record which she dictated to her grand- 
daughter, Louisa (Snow) VVillett, eldest daughter of her son 
H. H. Snow, before he removed with his family from Maine 
to Ohio. 

"Elizabeth (Payson) Snow was born April 23, 1753. 
She was the daughter of Elizabeth Tileston and Jonathan 
Payson, of Dorchester. Jonathan Payson, born 1728, son of 
Jonathan Payson, born (probably) 1701, and Ann Blake. 
Elizabeth Tileston, daughter of Prudence Leeds and Timothy 
Tileston, son of Timothy Tileston and Johanna Stevens. Pru- 
dence Leeds, daughter of Elizabeth Foster and Nathaniel 
Leeds, son of Joseph Leeds." 

We are fortunately able to trace this record back one step 
further, and in so doing we find a jjerson whose surname has 
been repeated a great many times as a Christian name for 
sons in succeeding generations of the Snow family. The per- 
son was one Relief Holland, who according to one tradition 
was born at Dorchester, Massachusetts, in 1641. on the day 
that a ship arrived from England bringing supplies to the 
colony. Another account of this woman is to the effect that 
"her parents — her father's name probably being Henry Hol- 
land-— were of the number of those (some sixty) who sailed 




To fact' page ^s. 



TIIK RELIEF HOLLAND LACK. 



35 

from England for America on board the ships \nne and Little 
James in the summer of 1623. and arrived at I'lymouth. Mas- 
sachusetts. Rehef was Ixirn on hoard the Anne (huMng the 
voyage. Later such .trouble came to those on hoard the Anne 
as caused them to raise signals of distress. W^ithoul relief they 
feared all would he lost. The Little James came lo their le- 
lief and from the joy of this relief came the name of the baby 
girl." The instrumentality affording us knowledge of her is an 
heirloom in the shape of a piece of lace, which in the first in- 
stance was her jiroperty. anrl was around her wedding hand- 
kerchief. 

Jt seems that this lace was presented by Relief Holland 
to her daughter Elizabeth Foster, and from this it is appar- 
ent that the record mentioned above can be extended by one 
generation, and that Relief llf)lland must ha\e married a 
man by the name of Foster. 

Relief (Holland) Foster then, gave the lace to her daugh- 
ter, Elizabeth Foster, wht> gave it to her daup-hter. Prudence 
Leeds, by whom it was presented to her daughter. Elizal>eth 
Tileston. and by her to her daughter, Elizabeth ( Payson) 
Snow. The latter converted the lace into a cap for her eldest 
.son, Henry Holland v'>now. and afterwards presented it to 
Louisa (Snow) Willett. eldest daughter of Henry Holland 
Snow. 

Mrs. Willett received the lace in the year 1835 and gave 
it to her niece. Kate Frank Snow in 1886. who gave it to her 
niece. Helen A. (Snow) Miner in 1892, who will give it to 
her eldest daughter. Amanda Nadine Miner, now past two 
years of age. From this it can be seen that this cherished 
heirloom, which, with time, has become more useful to her 
l>osterity than it was to the original owner, has been preserved 
in the family during ten generations, and is considerably over 
two hundred years old. 

Elizabeth (P.wson) Snow's F.\mily. 

The following record found among the papers of Ben- 
jamin's son Russ. and marked "Memorandum of Names of 
Relati\'es." w^as for a long time a puzzle to Russ Snow's grand- 
children and great-grandchildren, there being no surname 
mentioned in the whole record and no one knowing to whom 
the Christian names belonged. Only a short time l)efore the 
publishing of this Wn^k. however, a letter was found, written 
by Russ' oldest child which explained it and disclosed the per- 



36 

sons named to be Paysons, and brothers of Benjamin Snow's 
wife, Elizabeth (Payson) Snow. The letter is printed here 
immediately after the record which reads : 

"Memorandum o^ 

Names oe Relatives. 

Russ Snow. 

"Uncle Elisha has 12 children, the oldest Jonathan 27 
years of age; 2nd Holland, 3rd Tileston, 4th Anne; the 4 all 
married; 5th Sally, 6th William, 7th Elizabeth, 8th Cynthia, 
9th Elisha, loth Mary, nth Rachel, 12th Caroline 7 years 
old. 

"Uncle Nathaniel has had eleven Children, lost the yoimg- 
est — the oldest Elizabeth, 34 years of age, 2nd James, 3d Jane, 
4th William, 5th Stephen, 6th Adolphus, 7th Mariah, 8th 
Christopher. 9th Sally Anne, loth Phoebe. Jeremiah was 9 
years old when he died. James and Jane are married. Jane 
married James Haycock, has 3 children, lives on Brier Island. 
James has 2 children, lives near his Father's. 

"Uncle Bancroft has had eleven children. The oldest 
Sam'l, 38 years, 2nd Elizabeth Whitman, died two years 
since, one year after her husband, left three sons ; 3d Anne, 
married Sam'l Starrot, have 2 children, live in Willmot, 4th 
Elisha. unmarried, lives with his sister Anne. 5th William, 
married, lives near home, has one son. 6th Joseph, mar- 
ried, has 2 children, lives on Brier Island. 7th Handley. died 
when 22 years of age 3 years since. 8th Sally, lives at home, 
23 years of age. oth Caroline, lives at home also. TOth Jere- 
miah, 16 years old. nth Mariah, 13 years old. Sam'l has a 
family 3 children, lives on Brier Island. 
"Atkinson October 2, 1827." 

(Explanatory letter, written by Charlotte Snow. Daughter of 

Russ Snow.) 

Chadwick (111.), Oct. 15, 1898. 
My Dear Niece May : 

The Paper that you sent us a copy of must have been 
written when Aunt Bancroft, Grandmother Snow's sister, was 
at our house (Atkinson) on a visit. I remember her very well 
— 'how her dress was made, etc. She was a tall, fine-looking 
woman, and I think her name was Payson, I mean Sarah Pay- 



37 

son. Grandmother's name was Elizabeth Payson. Uncle 
Elisha Payson and I'nclc Nathaniel Payson were her broth- 
er's, my i^reat Ihicles, your great, great Uncles. They lived 
in Nova Scotia. 

(.Aristocratic people.) 
From this loiter wc know that Jonathan Payson and his 
wife. Elizabeth Tileston, had at least four children, Elisha, 
Nathaniel, Elizabeth (Payson) Snow, and Sarah Payson, 
who married a Mr. Bancroft, but what was the order of their 
births we can only conjecture. 

BENJAMIN SNOW IN BUSINESS. 

Returning- to Benjamin vSnow^ and liis business activities, 
and examining into his papers, a number of which are extant 
and over a century old. we find a good many facts which are 
interesting and calculated to arouse no little pride in this Revo- 
lutionary ancestor, back to whom all of us. whose names ap- 
pear in this book, trace our lineage, for the documents indi- 
cate that Benjamin was not satisfied with the life of a farmer 
or a teacher simply, but courted participation in the affairs of 
government. e\en though local. Indeed, it would seem a little 
strange, in view of his education and his martial training in 
the Revolutionary "school of patriotism," if he had not shown 
some disinclination to devoting himself exclusively to the cul- 
tivation of the soil. It is probable his mind was too active 
and his imagination too lively to find perfect contentment in 
the duties of a farm. 

And so it is natural to find him working industriously as 
assessor and collector of a United States direct tax in the 57th 
Collection District, and thus taking an active share in the con- 
duct of the government of our great American republic, which 
then Avas a mere infant among the nations and bore but faint 
resemblance to the mighty Power of the present, which is no 
longer content to stretch from ocean to ocean and from Can- 
ada to the Gulf, but must needs reach out, and embrace an 
island empire beyond the oceans. 

To fully appreciate Benjamin's serAMce as Collector of 
the United States tax, we must remember that he worked 
during the administrations of Adams and Jefferson, and that 
the deed following, given in his official capacity, was executed 
nenrlv a decade before the War of t8t2. 



38 

Deed Benj. Sno\\- to Moody. 
(February 2Z. 1803.) 
Know all Men by these Presents that 1 Benj. Snow. Col- 
lector of the direct tax for the 57th Collection District in New 
Hampshire in the United States appointed by Nathaniel Rog- 
ers, Esq.. for the said District of New Hampshire and by vir- 
tue of the Authority in me vested in Consequence of said Ap- 
j>ointment and by A Law of the United States entitled "An 
Act to lay and collect A direct tax in the United States" and 
in Consideration of eleven Dollars and forty four Cents to 
me in hand before the delivery hereof by John Moody of Gil- 
mantown in the County of Stafford and State of New Hamp- 
shire Gentleman as Hig^hest Bidder at A Vendue held in 
Bethlehem in the County of Grafton. State of N. Hampshire 
and 57 Collection District Viz Number twenty three in the 
ninth lying on the north of Franconia. Also No One in the 
first Division lying on A Beach Hill in the first Sale of .\. 
Courts Committee for laying out A Road. Also No. eighteen 
and thirty six designated by number onl}'. Also No. seven in 
the first Range, second Division lying between Concord and 
Briton Woods. Also No. fifteen in the first range second di- 
vision. Also No. Ten in the eight Range lying on Franconia 
north west line. Also twenty-three in the eight Range. .\lso 
No. nineteen in the ninth Range. Also No. twenty two in the 
twelfth. Also No. seven in the fifth lying on the west side 
of Britton Woods. T^ts being separately sold at said \^en- 
due. 

To Have and to Hold the said granted Premises with the 
.Appurtenances free and clear of all Incumbrances to him the 
s'd Moody his Heirs and Assigns forever. And I the said 
vSnow in my s'd capacity and by \irtue of the Authority afore- 
said covenant with the s'd Moody that 1 wiH warrant and 
defend the same to him the s'd Moody his Heirs and Assigns 
against the lawful Claims of all Persons whomsoever. Tn 
Witness where of I have here unto set my hand and Seal this 
twenty second dav of Feb'}- one Thousand eight Hundred and 
three. 

Signed Sealed and 
delivered in pre.sence of Benjamin Snow. 

Samuel Greely 

John Raymond 



39 

The date upon which the foreg-oinj^ instrument was exe- 
cuted by Benjamin Snow is interestino^ in that it shows that 
the twenty-second day of February (Washington's birthday) 
was not then q-enerally recognized as a legal holiday, set apart 
for rest or public observance, and that Benjamin's patriotism 
was displayed in the performance of public service rather than 
participation in public celebration. 



The following deed is similar to the previous one, but 
executed the succeeding year: 

Know all Men by these Presents that I Benjamin Snow 
of Bath in the County of Grafton and state of New Hamp- 
shire Collector of the direct tax for the 57th Collection Dis- 
trict in the District of New Hampshire in the United States 
appointed by Nathl Rogers Esq Supervisor for the said Dis- 
trict of New^ Hampshire, do by Virtue of the Authority in 
me vested and by A Law of the United States entitled "An 
Act to lay and collect A tax within the United States," and in 
Consideration of four Dollars and sixty Cents to me in hand 
paid before the delivery hereof by Artemas Knight, Franco- 
nia in the County of Grafton and state of New Hampshire 
Gentleman, in the said 57th Collection District the Receipt 
whereof I do hereby acknow^ledge — hereby sell and convey to 
him the said Artemas as Highest Bidder at A Vendue held in 
Landaff for Sale of Lands in the direct tax on Lands in Fran- 
conia and IJncoln on the 22 and 23rd Days of Feby 180T. the 
following Rights or parcels of Lands in said Franconia in 
the County State and District above mentioned Viz. 256 Acres 
Sam'l Blodget ]r original Proprietor. Also 256 Acres John 
Graves original Proprietor. Also 256 Acres Joseph Richard- 
son original Proprietor. Also 256 Acres Joseph Prussell orig- 
inal Proprietor. Said Lots being separately sold at said Ven- 
due for said district tax. 

To have and to hold the said granted premises with the 
Appurtenances to him the said Knight his Heirs and Assigns 
forever. And I the said Snow in my said Capacity and by 
Virtue of the Authority in me vested aforesaid do covenant 
with the said Knight that T have good Right to sell and con- 
vey the same in Manner aforesaid and that T will under said 
authority warrant and defend the same against the lawful 



40 

Claims of all persons whomsover. In witness wherof I have 
liereimto set my Hand and Seal this twenty first day of Au- 
gust 1804 

James Lanzcr Benj. Snow, 

Collector of ^yth C. D. 
Among Benjamin's papers there is also a bond which 
shows that in addition to acting as Tax Collector, he performed 
some services as a road builder, the work being probably of 
some consequence inasmuch as he was obligated to give bond 
to his township as security for the faithful performance of 
his contract. Unfortunately, we are not able to print the 
whole of this instrument, inasmuch as in tearing off his sig- 
nature after the completion of the task, he rent the contents 
of the document. The following fragment, however, shows 
the character of the work done. 

t^ t^ t^ 

Bond of Bknj. Snow to Town opf Bath. 
June 29. 1812. 

"Know all Men by these presents that I Benjamin vSnow 
of Bath in the County of Grafton & State of New Hampshire, 
am holden and stand firmly bound unto the said Town of 
Bath in the Sum of Forty-five Dollars and seventy Cents to 
the payment of which sum well <Sr truly to be made unto the 
said Tow^n, I bind myself, my heirs executors & administra- 
tors firmly b}'' these presents. Sealed with my seal, dated this 
29th day of June, A. D. 181 2. 

The condition of the above obligation is such that if the 
above bounden vSnow, shall well & truly make or cause to be 
made. & completed three several Jobs on the new road be- 
tween Stephen Bartlets & Esqr Hutchins in s'd Bath, which 
jobs were staked out & marked Nos. 2. 3 &: 5; and bid off by 
s'd Snow at Vendue on the premises on the TOth day of June 
Instant the w-hole for $22.85 viz No. 2 to begin at the north- 
erly end of No. i at a stake oposite to a white rock & pine 
stump & to continue a northerly course to a stake a little south 
of W. S. Bartlets Bars between his mowing & pasture — the 
traveling part to be sixteen feet wide exclusive of sufficient 
ditches or gutters each side to carry off the water, a good wa- 
ter course to be made near the north end of s'd job * * * 

Job No. 5 to begin at the north end of Job No. 4 which 
was bid off by Eliphalet Cleaveland and bounded 



1 



4T 

in the cilge nf the wnmls a lilile inTili nt' ;i I'lk ])ine slnh ami 
licnilock Ucc — from theiirc lo cmitimie mirilicrly [>> a stake 
in tlic ccMtef of ilic road oposite to a heniluck tree staixlint^' 
(HI llie lower side o\ the road near the ridge on the south side 
of the great hollow, to be ploughed tit leveled, roots, stuinps 
vV trees to be taken out when necessary, the traveling part of 
the road to be sixteen feel wide exclusi\e ui a good & suffi- 
cient gutter on the u])per side of the road to keep the water 
from the road. — all the aforesaid Jobs to be done in a goorl 
faithfull workmatilike manner 6c to the acceptance of the Se- 
lect-Men of s"d Bath 1)\ the loth day of September next — 
\\1ien this (Obligation to be \oid or else to remain in full 
force. Bhnjamin Snow. 

Attest // '/// Mcnisdii. 

(Signature torn ofif.) 

jt .jt .jt 

The following bond of "Snow to Cox" contains assur- 
ance in Benjamin Snow's own N\ords that he was a "Gentle- 
man." for he describes himself therein, as in other instruments, 
by that term, and it is not dil'ficult to believe that he was such. 
for the several documents of this nature, relating to his busi- 
ness ventures, which are extant, are all in his own handwrit- 
ing and shr)w by their contents that like all true gentlemen, he 
was honest, straightforward and punctilious in his dealings, 
that he knew his rights and those of others, and moreover was 
sulificiently familiar with legal forms and phraseology to act as 
his own attorney. If he had not possessed more than the 
then ordinary educational attainments, he could not have ex- 
pressed himself so successfully in the terminology nf business, 
nor would the judicial quality of his mind have been so ap- 
parent. 

Of Benjamin's personal appearance, of course, very lit- 
tle is known. He lived before the days of i)liotographs and 
even of daguerreotypes, and no drawing or painting of him was 
ever made, but Ruth ( Ifibbard ) Snow, wife if his son Russ. 
is authority for the statement that he was a thin man with a 
face rather small, greatly resembling that of Thomas Jeffer- 
son. If such a likeness existed, we can be certain that he bore 
the exterior of a "gentleman" at least, for we are all familiar 
with the fine, high countenance of the great Democrat and 
should surely be proud of having a face like his in the family. 



42 

Bond of Benj. Snow to Cox. 
March 19, 1808. 

Know all men by these presents that I, Benjn Snow of 
Bath in the County of Grafton in the State of New Hamp- 
shire Gentleman, am holden and stand firmly bound unto 
Jon'n Cox of Bath aforesaid, Blacksmith, in the sum of four 
hundred Dollars to be paid to himi the said Jon'n Cox his heirs 
or assigns on demand, to the payment of which sum well & 
truly to be made, I bind myself, my heirs executors & admin- 
istrators firmly by these presents. 

The condition of the above obligation is such that if the 
above bounden Benjamin Snow shall give to the said Jon'n 
Cox a good warrantee deed of a certain tract or parcel of 
land in Bath aforesaid bounded as follows (viz) Beginning at 
a stake and stones on the northeasterly side of the road leading 
from the school house by the said Snows house, to L-andaff 
near the Bridge over the Ames Brook so called, thence running 
northeasterly to a spotted Birch tree & from thence on the same 
course to land owned by Josiah Bartlet, thence southerly on 
said Bartlet's land to a spotted Beach tree, it being the corner 
bound between said Josiah & said Snow & tO' the road leading 
from said Bartlets' house tO' the main road. Thence south 
westwardly by said road 'till it strikes the road leading from 
where the old school house stood to said Snows'. Thence by 
said road to the bound first mentioned, provided, the said Jon'n 
Cox shall well & truly pay his three notes of hand signed to 
me this day for two hundred dollars in the whole, (viz) one 
for fifty dollars, payable the first of January, i8og. another, 
for fifty dollars payable in one year from this date & the other 
for one hundred dollars payable in two years from this date 
with the Interest on the same, and peaceably and quietly per- 
mit the said Snow to reap the wheat that is now sowed on said 
land & remove the same when he shall think proper, & appro- 
priate it to his own use, & also to remove all the post & rail 
fence that he shall have occasion to make to secure said grain. 
Witness my hand & seal this 19th day of March A. D 
1808. 

Signed Sealed & delivered 
In presence of Benjamin Snow. 

Stephen Bartlet (Signature torn oflF.) 

Hez'a Handford 



43 

Bond of Bdnjamin Snow to Bartlet and Handford^ 

June 13, 1810. 

"Know all men by these presents that i, Benj'n Snow of 
Bath in the County of Grafton in the State of New Hamp- 
shire, Gentleman, am holden & stand tirmly bound unto 
Stephen Bartlet & Hezekiah Handford both of Bath in the 
County & State aforesaid, husbandmen, in the sum of six 
hundred & fifty dollars to be paid to them the said Bartlet and 
Handford on demand to the payment of which sum well & 
truly to be made, I bind myself my heirs executors & admin- 
istrators firmly by these presents. 

The condition of the above obligation is such that if the 
said Stephen Bartlet & Hezekiah Handford, shall reconvey to 
the said Snow four lots of Land in Bethlehem described in 
his deed to them, signed this day, or any part or parcel thereof, 
& if the said Snow shall discharge the same on their note of 
hand in whole or in part as the case may be, being lots num- 
bered five in the first range & second Division, lot numbered 
eighteen in the first range & second Division, lot numbered 
fourteen in the eighth range & lot numbered fifteen in the ninth 
range, estimated at seventy-five dollars each except the lot 
numbered fifteen in the ninth range which is estimated at one 
hundred dollars. Now if the said Snow shall truly & faith- 
fully discharge on the said Bartlet's & Handford Note signed 
to the said Snow this day for three hundred & twenty five dol- 
lars, payable in three months in English & West Indian goods 
agreeably to the above estimation of said land. 

Then this obligation to be void & of none effect or else 
to abide in full force & virtue. 

Witness my hand & seal this 13th day of June A. D. 18 10. 
Sign'd sealed & delivered [Seal] 

In presence of Benjamin Snow. 

John Head (Signature torn off.) 

Pamela Head. 



44 

1.ETTER BY BENJAMIN SNOW. 

With the exception of the three letters which were writ- 
ten by Benjamin Snow during his mihtary service, the only 
one by his hand that appears in this book or is, in all likeli- 
hood, extant at the present time, is the following-, written on 
the 8th day of April, 1810, from Bath, New Hampshire, 
where Benjamin died seven years later. The superscription 
shows it to have been directed to Henry Snow at Bangor, 
Maine, but the reference in the contents to Tileston indicates 
that it was intended for both sons^ and that they had already, 
at that date (1810), moved from the parental roof and settle* 1 
in Maine. 

Henry was twenty-six years old when the letter was writ- 
ten, Tileston twenty-four and Russ twenty-one. Henry had 
been married two years and the "new Daughter and Sister" 
to whom Benjamin's wife and family joined in sending their 
love, was Henry's wife, Sarah Jameson, the "Aunt vSally" of 
after years. Russ was still at home with his father and it was 
not until hve years later, after the death of his father, that 
he and his mother sold out and went to Atkinson. Maine, 
where his older brothers in the meantime had settled. This 
letter contains authoritative corroboration of the tradition 
that Benjamin intended Russ to sta}' at home and care for his 
parents during their declining years, and of the stories of the 
early moves of his children. 
Bath N. H. 17 

April 10 

"MR. HENRY H. SNOW 
Bangor 
if not at Bangor District of Maine. 

Piscataquis or No. 2. 

Bath April 8th, 18 10. 
Dear Children \\> ha\e heard nothing from you since 
last fall bv A Brother of our neighbour Page who lives in A 
Town contiguous to No 2. 1 have paid the Taxes on your 
Bethlehem land but cannot sell it nor my own neither. Jacob 
H^urd has promised in the Spring to look of yours PTarry, and 
if he likes it would let me have A good clock and pay the 
ludlance some how or some time, but it is very uncertain 
whether he will have it or not. Abial Hibbard has been home 



45 

this winter and wants the Money which you, Tileston, was 
to collect for him at Bangor — he is gone logging to the West- 
ward init lias left word with me to have you collect the money 
and if the man refuses or neglects payment, to sue it in his 
name. Bui 1 advise you if you should get it, not to risk it in 
the mail. It will have so many oflices and hands to go through 
and if you take it in Bills which are now current, it is no ways 
certain they will be when you convey or fetch it to Bath, so 
I should advise you to take nothing but Specie. 

There was a most daring Robbery committed last week 
in I)an\ille. A man had taken about fourteen hundred Dol- 
lars at the Bank in presence of another Alan who followed 
him from place to place which made him mistrust he had A 
design to rob him. He procured Pistols on the same Account 
and the night alter was attacked suddenly in his sleigh. He 
was shot in the head ar.-l stabbed in the Breast and left in A 
state of insensibility so it was some time before he could in- 
finni the people who ftnnid him the circumstances so that 
they could go in pursuit of him. 

N'our Mama (^' family are as well as usual tho' she is half 
the lime unwell cK- complaining. She & the family join in 
Love to you and to the new Daughter and Sister. Before I 
conclude 1 must once more remind you both of your negligence 
in not writing. I hope you will immediately upon the receipt 
of this, sil down and write me a long & particular letter. Give 
my love to Mr. Jameson & wife &c. 1 had A prospect last 
winter of selling for Specie for 1 won't sell for Bills of any 
kind but the man who was coming to look of my farm took his 
farm which he had sold, and gave forty Dollars to the man 
whom He sold to for A Present. Russ is about writing to 
one or both of you and will inform you more of family, neigh- 
borhood & Town Matters — so 

from your truly affectionate father 

& friend 

Bknj' Snow. 
A[essrs H. H. & T. Snow 



46 

BENJAMIN SNOW'S BROTHERS AND SISTERS. 

It has not been the intention in this book to go into 
details as to the collateral branches including- or prior to the 
generation of Benjamin Snow. It is simply a history of his 
line of descent and of his family, but it has seemed fitting to 
give some little account of his brothers and sisters before tak- 
ing up the families of his children. 

Benjamin was the second of six children. The oldest 
was a daughter, named Rebecca. We do not know when she 
was born or died. Indeed, the only facts we possess relative 
to her life, are that she was mentioned in the will oi her moth- 
er and married a man by the name of Butler. 

The life story of the youngest child, Robert, is equally 
short. He was born Jan'y ii, 1764, and died young. His 
history is told in two lines, given us by Corwin Snow, as fol- 
lows : "While a boy he attempted tO' climb over a stone fence, 
and dislodged a large stone, which rolled down upon him and 
killed him." 

The fifth child was a girl, Miriam, born Aug. 16, 1761. 
She married a man by the name of Solomon Bayley and as her 
children were not Snows, the family has not been traced. 

The other two children in Benjamin's family were his 
two brothers, Henry and Nehemiah, who were respectively the 
third and fourth of the six children. 

Henry was born April 17, 1757, and gave up his life in 
the service of his country. His death occurred in 1779 while 
he was serving in the Continental Army. 

In his Plymouth History Stearns gives us the following 
account of Henry's military service: 

"In the summer of 1776 the govt of N. H. raised two 
regiments to reinforce the northern army. In Sept an addi- 
tional regiment was raised, and in December still another. In 
this regiment which was commanded by Col. David Oilman 
of Pembroke, were two men from Plymouth. They were 
Henry Snozv and Ebenezer Keyes. The regiment participated 
in the battles of Trenton and Princeton, and was discharged 
in March, 1777. Henry soon enlisted again and was assigned 
to Captain Fry's company. Colonel Cilley's regiment. Later 
he was transferred to Major Gibb's Guards, and died Oct. 

25. I779-" 



47 

Our knowledge of Benjamin's brother Nehemiah is quite 
complete. The records quoted are from Stearns. He says : 

"Nehemiah Snow, son of Henry, was born April 4, 1759. 
Came to Plymouth in childhood. He served three enlistments 
under Col. Bedel on the northern frontier, and was at Ben- 
nington under Col. Hobart and subsequently in Continental 
service. He married April 9, 1789, Miriam Harriman, daugh- 
ter of Thomas Harriman. He hved in Plymouth until 1802, 
when, with others, he removed to Compton, P. Q., and was 
there a Captain. He died April 5, 1840. Miriam, his wife, 
died August 14, 1848." 



Nehemiah's Children. 
I. JANE, b. Sept. 9, 1790. m. Oct. 31, 181 2, John Weston, 
b. Rockingham, Vt., Sept. 20, 1780. Dartmouth Col- 
lege, 1806. He was an eminent physician, of Hatley, 
P. Q., where he d. July 18, 1832. She, surviving 
her husband, died June 12, 1872. (i) Charlotte, b. 

Oct. 16, 18 1 3. m. Wood. (2) George, b. 

Sept. I, 181 5, d. 1884. (3) Caroline, b. Dec. 23, 
1817. d. 1835. (4) Charles, b. Nov. 28, 1819. m. 
July 3, 1850, Lydia Jane Oilman. Lived in Fair- 
bault, Minn. (5) Sarah Jane, b. Nov. 23, 1823. ni. 
Brooks. (6) Miriam L., b. Dec. 28, 1825. 

n. CHARLOTTE, b. Plymouth, March 27, 1792, m. Ma- 
jor David Wood. She died Montreal, P. Q., July 
27, 1869. 

HL CAROLINE, b. Plymouth, Feb. 16, 1794. m. Robert 
Vincent, b. Stonington, Conn., 1785. Lived Hat- 
ley, P. O., where he d. Sept. 4, 1857. She d. Oct. 
27, 1862. (i) Jane Ann. m. 1857, L. D. Marsh. 
She d. March 31, 1868. (2) Julia, b. 1821. d. 1832. 
(3) EHza M., b. 1823. d. 1896. (4) Charles Rob- 
ert, b. Dec. 25, 1825. m. Pauline R. Parker. (5) 
Caroline Julia, b. Nov. 6, 1832. m. July 10. 1859, 
D. T. Robertson, M. D. 

IV. ROBERT, b. Plymouth. Feb. 12, 1796. 
V. SARAH, b. Plymouth, March 19, 1798. m. 1820, Ma- 
jor John Jones, res. Hatley, P. Q., where she d. 
April 5, 1876. 



48 

VI. CHARLES, 1). Plymouth, Oct. 26, 1800. 
VII. ARTHUR, b. June 5, 1804. ni. and lived in Compton, 
P. Q. Three children: (i) William Arthur, (2) 
Aiiriam, (3) Abigail Louisa. 



in speaking of Nehemiah, Corwin Snow ;.ays : 

"Nehemiah went to Canada and lived at Compton, on the 
St. Francis River. He was rich and aristocratic and had 
three daughters named Jane, Charlotte and Caroline, who, it 
is said, were above work. At the close of a visit they made 
at the home of their Uncle Benjamin at Batli, New Hamp- 
shire, journeying" on horse-back, a distance of one hundred 
miles or more, their cousin, Russ, accompanied them a part of 
the way home and bargained with his cousin Charlotte to 
name his eldest daughter Ciiarlotte. She, in turn, was to 
name her eldest son Russ. 

"Nehemiah Snow sent his daughters, Jane and Char- 
lotte, to the school tauglit by his brother, Benjamin, at Bath, 
New JIampshire." 

The following is an account of some of the facts con- 
nected \Aith Xehemiah's service in the Kevolution from 
Stearns, Vol. i, page 103, where he says: "Being advised to 
such proceeding by letters from General Washington, the 
house of representatives (N. H.j voted, Jan'y 20 (1777), 'to 
raise one Regiment of Soldiers Forthwith to Consist of Eight 
Companies,' and it was further ordered that the regiment shall 
l»e raised for the northern army commanded by General Schuy- 
ler in Canada and shall serve until the first of next January 
unless sooner discharged. The regiment was hastily raised 
aTid equipped, and Col. Timoth}- Bedel was appointed to the 
command. The story of the forced march of this regiment 
into Canada, the valor and misfortunes of the men, the sur- 
render of a detachment at the Cedars, and a broken army re- 
treating from Canada is a sad but interesting chapter in the 
annals of New Hampshire. In the company of this regiment 
commanded by Capt. Edward Everett of Rumney, were six- 
teen Plymouth men." .\mong the list appears the name of 
Nehemiah Snow. 

Again from page 113: "This regiment was at the battle 
of Bennington where 'Colonel Hobart led the attack on the 



49 

Tory breastworks. 'I'he commander and his men won dis- 
linction and the commendation of General Stark for bravery 
and gallant condnct. Solomon Hobart. the fourth Plymouth 
man to die in the service, was killed during the battle. The 
regiment joined General Gates at Saratoga, and at the expira- 
tion of their term of service the men were discharged Sept. 
1 8. the day before the battle of Bemis Heights. Eight days 
were allowed for tia\el home, and the payrolls were made up 
to Sept. 26.' " 

Stearns, \'o]. 1. page 123: "In the autumn of 1777 the 
organization of a regiment, to he raised in northern New 
Manipshire and X'ermont. was ordered by the continental con- 
gress and Col. Bedel was appointed to the command. It was 
stationed at Ila\erhill and Xewbur)', and was actively em- 
ployed in guarding tiie frontier, in the construction of mili- 
tary roads, in scouting, and in the exercise of a general ix)1ice 
inspection from fTaxerhill to Canada. 

"There were se\eral I'lymouth men in this regiment. 

"In Caj)!. Xehcmiah LoNewell's company, from February 
to March 31. 1778, were Daniel Clough Webster, David 
Xevins, jr.. and Xchciiiiah Sjiow. Jn July, 1778, four men 
from Plymouth enlisted into Captain Tarlton's company and 
served eight months. They were yeJieiniah Snow, David 
Richardson. Benjamin Wells and Xathaniel Webster." 

Xehemiah Snow was selectman 1796. 



Emioratton of the jFamili^ of 
JSenjamin Snow. 



EMIGRATION OF THE FAMILY OF 
BENJAMIN SNOW. 

The growth and development of the family of Benjamin 
Snow has been analogous to that of the nation and the lines 
of its growth have been similar to those of the nation's growth, 
thus showing how a single family, a unit in tiie greater na- 
tional family, increases and expands as new and unsettled ter- 
ritories are opened up. and it is surrounded by those enliven- 
ing conditions and [)0ssibilities which promote the spread of 
the nation. It may seem to some like stretching a point to 
draw such a comparison as this, and yet it is !iot so imreason- 
able after all, for in its capacity and tendency to spread, a 
family is like a nation, and in olliei" respects there is sufficient 
parallelism to justify it. 

If planted in poor and meagre soil, the conditions of ex- 
istence are hard and precarious, and where it is surrounded 
by obstructions and barriers, the family, like the nation, will 
remain small and weak and increase but slowly. But. if. on 
the contrary, it surmounts its barriers, and sweeps away its ob- 
structions and moves into newer and freer territories, where 
the possibilities are richer, even though the conditions be har- 
dier, it will wax in extent and vigor and power, and illus- 
trates in miniature wdiat the nation exhibits on a grander scale. 
If the nation grows swiftly, then the family, whose lines of 
development have been the same, will grow swiftly also. 

This is the condition of things which we find in the fam- 
ily of Benjamin Snow. Like the nation, it had its begimiings 
down in New- England, and like the nation it has grown and 
spread, reaching Avest and north and south, so that we now 
find members of its circle scattered on the outermost confines 
of the land, in Maine and California. Dakota and Florida, and 
these extretnes connected by chains whose links are Snow fam- 
ilies in many intermediate States. 

As we have seen before. Benjann'n Snow was born at 
Plymouth. New Hampshire, in the year i 754. twenty-two years 



54 

before Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, and married Elizabeth Payson in 1783 at St. Johns, 
Nova Scotia, before the framing of the Constitution. His two 
oldest children were born there, and between the years of 
1786 and 1789 he moved from St. Johns to Plymouth, New 
Hampshire. From this place he moved tO' Bath, New Hamp- 
shire, between 1789 and 1792, and in this latter town he died 
some time in 18 17, shortly after the close of the War of 181 2, 
at the age of 63 years. His wife moved with her family to 
Atkinson, Maine, in 1822, and there she died and was buried 
twenty years later, on November 15, 1842, at the age of 89 
years. 

In speaking of the pioneer journeys of Benjamin's fam- 
ily, obviously it will not be possible to^ detail all the shifts and 
mo'ves of the recent generations, and consequently we shall 
confine ourseves, in dealing with this subject, tO' the chil- 
dren of Benjamin only, and simply indicate the places or 
States wherein they settled and from which their children went 
forth. Without the aid of a record, the memories of the 
Snows of recent generations do not, in many instances, run 
back in recollection of their ancestors much farther than to 
Benjamin's children, and so- in telling of the moves and set- 
tlements of Benjamin's children, we are relating the facts that 
to a large extent determined the birth places or present resi- 
dences of the younger generations. 

A hard, rebellious soil, and a cold, bleak winter climate, 
constituted the obstructions and barriers which the Snow fam- 
ily surmounted or brushed aside in the early period of its 
growth. The reports of the rich land further tO' the west, in 
Ohio. Indiana, Illinois, and the "prairie" States, seemed to 
promise greater creature comforts and physical prosperity 
than the farmers of New England could wring from the obsti- 
nate stony soil of their native farms, and the long, dismal, 
freezing winters proved tO' be "the last straw that broke the 
back" of their resolution to linger where their fathers were 
born and reared, and many of them took Horace Greeley's 
advice and "moved west tO' grow up with the country." 

Whether Benjamin's family was more susceptible to the 
rigours of the New England climate than others, we do' not 
know, but the letters of his children contain frequent mention 
of the torment of coughs and colds, and kindred ills, and the 
spectres of pneumonia and tuberculosis seemed to prey upon 



55 

theiv minds not a little. This was deciderllv the case witli 
Russ Snow. Benjamin's third son. at least and he was ready 
to make almost any sacrifice to t^et his children away from the 
taint of the cold. As it was, althon<>h he mo\ ed from .Maine 
to Ohio in 1835. he did not ^et into the more ef(nable climate 
ot Ohio soon enou.^h to shake (iff the winter clntch absolutely. 
lor two of his daujc^hters died of the tuberculosis touch, one 
in maidenhood and one in youno- womanhood. The subse- 
f|nent .general health of the (Jther members of Ids family and 
I heir children would seem to indicate that the benefits he ex- 
pected to dcrixe from the western climate were not purely 
imaginary. This was the impulse that moved him, rather 
tlian the hope of greater woi-ldly ])rosperity. for he gave up a 
roni tollable and con\enient frame dwelling- with substantial 
buildings and appurtenances to lodge his wife and children 
aiuid the inconveniences of a log home, where they were forced 
to li\e for al)out ten years before he was able to erect the com- 
luodious brick house, where his children's children were born 
and which has since become the happy "homeing spot" of all 
of Benjamin's Ohio descendants. 

Russ Snow. Benjamin's third son, was th.e first one of 
four brothers — all of whoni moved West but the youngest — 
to se\er hi^ connections with the neig-hborhood of his birth 
and bo}-hood. and mo\e into the western \\(X)ds. In the spring- 
of 1835 ^16 started with his l)rother-in-law. Amos Stocker. hus- 
band of his sister Louise, and Mr. Stocker's son Newell, to 
locate a new home in the then comparativelv new Ohio coun- 
try. .After proceeding- as far as Buffalo, Xew York, they sep- 
arated for a time, the Stockers remaining- in Bufifalo to work 
at the ma.son's trade. Mr. Snow% "Uncle Russ" as he was 
afterwards known to all the Ohio Snows, then went on alone 
to Cleveland. Ohio, which was but a straggling- village, and 
gave but slight promise of being the future teeming metropo- 
lis with half a million inhabitants. At Cleveland he ran across 
a gentleman b\- the name of Bayley, a neighbru- from his old 
home in Bath, Xew Mam])shire. Mr. Bayley was then living 
at Brecksville, Ohio, about eighteen miles south from C1e\-e- 
land. and where Russ later purchased and .':ettled, and he 
urged Russ to make him a visit, wdiich the latter did. although 
he was intending t(i go to Indiana Ijefore settling. 

W bile staying with .Mr. Bayley. Russ bought a piece of 
Brecksville land on speculation and a horse with wdiich he 



56 

started for Indiana at the end of his visit. The accident of his 
horse going lame changed the whole course of his plans, how- 
ever. Finding himself unable to proceed with the lame beast, 
he returned to Mr. Bayley's and having been favorably im- 
pressed with the situation, bought more land in the neighbor- 
hood and at once set about clearing away the timber and es- 
tablishing a home into which he could introduce his family — 
which came in the fall of the year. The Stockers came on 
from Buffalo and joined him in the summer of 1835. buying 
and clearing land in the neighborhood for themselves. 

Russ built a log house before the arrival of his family, and 
made everything as comfortable as he could amid the pioneer 
roughness of woods and new land, probably feeling a com- 
pelling need to do this since his family was leaving behind in 
the old home more actual comforts and conveniences than 
they could find in the new for a decade at least. Russ' new 
land was substantially all covered with timber when he pur- 
chased it, and by the time his family joined him, he had suc- 
ceeded in clearing but little more than four acres around the 
log house which he erected. The highway which passed in 
front of his home was nothing but a rough wood road through 
the forest. Russ' family consisted of his wife and five chil- 
dren, Charlotte, Jane, Owen, Orpha and Holland. We have 
an account of their long journey from Maine to Ohio in a 
covered carriage in a letter written by Russ' oldest daughter, 
Charlotte, to her niece, Ida M. Snow, in 1895, sixty years after 
the journey was made, and the same will be found printed 
hereinafter. 

Russ had the greater property in Maine and naturally was 
the one to come first. His brother Henry came the following 
year and located on lands adjoining his own. Henry's family 
at the time consisted of his wife and nine children, Louise, Al- 
exander, Payson, Harriet, Angeline, Selina, Augusta, Charles 
and Carroll. All of Russ' children, with the exception of 
Charlotte, who married her cousin, Alexander Snow, son of 
Henry, either died or remained in Ohio, and that State has al- 
ways been the home of their children. Henry's children, on 
the other hand, with one exception in the case of those who 
lived to maturity, left Ohio, and their children are now scat- 
tered all over the United States, in California, Florida, Iowa, 
Michigan and Dakota. Russ and Henry and their wives died 



57 

in Brecksville, Ohio, and are buried in the adjoining township 
of Richfield. 

Louise (Snow) Stockcr, Benjamin's only daughter, fol- 
lowed her husband, Amos Stocker, to Ohio, coming when 
Henry's family did, and settled with him on the farm which he 
had selected near those of his brothers-in-law, Russ and Henry 
Snow. Louise's children, however, like Henry's, moved west 
and their descendants are now principally located in Iowa, Ne- 
braska, Dakota and California. Louise Stocker died in 
Brecksville and is buried with her husband in the little neigh- 
borhood cemetery in Richfield township, where Russ and 
Henry and their wives are interred. 

Tileston Snow was the last of the emigrating brothers 
to leave Maine, although he had been the first to move thither 
from New Hampshire. He lived for a good many years at 
Atkinson, Maine, and then moved to Brownville, where he 
lived twenty-one years. In the spring of the year 1856. at the 
age of seventy years, he moved from Maine to Minnesota, 
where he lived the last sixteen years of his life. He died at 
Lilly Pond or Otsego and was buried at Big Lake, Minnesota. 
Most of Tileston's descendants live in Minnesota now, al- 
though there are some in California, Colorado, Oregon, Da- 
kota, Illinois, Massachusetts and Maine. 

Dr. Eleazer Wheelock Snow, Benjamin's youngest child 
and youngest son, remained in Maine and died there, although 
at the time of the removal of his brothers to Oliio he thought 
somewhat of selling out and following them, as his letters 
hereinafter will show. His medical practice, however, had 
more chance in Maine than in the more sparsely settled West, 
and consequently he never moved. Most of his descendants 
have remained in Maine. 

The foregoing is but a brief sketch of the settlement of 
Benjamin's children. Fortunately we are in possession of 
many old letters — now yellow with age — written by them at 
the time, that give us an accurate, authoritative and intensely 
interesting recital of the actual facts, with all their feelings, 
motives, hopes and ambitions set forth in their own words, 
and describing their troubles, trials and hardships. These let- 
ters were all written before the days of postage stamps and 
envelopes, when long letters were written in a fine hand on 
foolscap paper, folded to our enveloi>e size, sealed together with 
wax on the outside, and sent thus. The cost of carriage was 



58 

written in one corner by the postmaster at the point of de- 
spatch and the amount collected from the recipient of the let- 
ter. As the postage ran anywhere from twenty-five to fifty 
cents, on a long letter, and long carriage, the pioneers were 
not always desirous of developing" an extensive correspond- 
ence. 

In setting forth these letters it has been our plan to place 
at the beginning the superscriptions, showing the addressee, 
the points of despatch and receipt and the postal charges, 
thinking that these items would prove of interest to those of 
us who have been born since the days of cheap paper and cheap 
postage. 

The first of these letters are three written by Russ Snow 
in the spring and summer of 1835 after he had purchased 
lands in Ohio. Although each one is addressed to one partic- 
ular person, they are "round-robin" letters, and contain greet- 
ings, directions, advice and information from Russ to his wife, 
brothers and his children. It is curious to read them after so 
many years and see with him the virgin country which is now 
SO' well settled and so familiar to us, and hear his fatherly 
words of injunction and correction to children whom we have 
long known as our parents and grandparents. The words 
strike oddly upon our ears and now that the children to whom 
they were addressed are dead and buried, and have been these 
many years, some of them, there is something strangely pa- 
thetic in their tenor and it is a little hard to keep back the 
tears. 

(The reader will note in the perusal of the letters which 
follow that the name "Brecksville," although the town was 
named after a man by the name of Breck, was in the early 
days, spelled with an "i" instead of an "e." /. e., "Bricksville." 
This corruption of the name was due to ignorance of the orig- 
in of the town's name.) 



59 

EMIGRATION LETTERS. 
LETTERS BY RUSS SNOW. 

Bricksville, 
O, May 8. 

HENRY II. SNOW, ESQ., 
Atkinson, 

Penobscot County, 

State of Maine. 

BkiCKSViLi^E, May 3, 1835. 
Dear Ruth : 

It is now about a month since I wrote to Henry, & should 
have written to you before this, but have been waiting- to have 
Stocker and Newell come on. I have not seen or heard from 
them since I left Buffalo, although 1 have written them two 
letters to come on. But I expect they are waiting to have the 
ice clear out of Lake Erie, i left them at work at their trade 
in Buffalo March 24. Since I wrote you I have made a pur- 
chase of 250 acres of land at about $5 25-100 per acre, pur- 
chased of 3 men, side by side. Each had made a beginning, 
in the whole about 19 acres, fell chopped and partially cleared 
and about the same number underbrushed & girdled, some 
fence made, a comfortable log house on one lot, all watered, 
and the water is good. 

When I wrote last I thought of going to Indiana, & had 
purchased a horse with that intention, but finding the privi- 
leges and advantages of this place to be so great, I concluded 
to make a stand here. One of the best qualities of this place 
is, it is beyond doubt a healthy place, much more so than 
any part of the State of Maine. Still there is one spot in 
Town where the people have the ague, but that place is about 
500 ft. lower than some other parts of it. My cough con- 
tinued through the whole of my journey, and when I wrote 
you last I coughed and raised \'ery much, but it has now left 
me and I am as hearty as a bear. I think I never ate so much 
in the same time as I have for tlie month past. Have been 
at work on my land, clearing, fencing, &c. You may set all 
fears at rest about the health of the place. It is cooler here in 
the summer, & warmer in the winter than in the east. Mrs. 



6o 

Bailey says that she needs one more quilt in the summer and 
one less in the winter than in Bath. 

The season is said to be the most backward that has been 
known for 17 years past. You will be surprised when I tell 
you the maple trees only begin to look green. Two days ago 
the sap ran freely, still there is a good bite of grass and win- 
ter wheat hides the ground. I have this moment been out to 
measure a spire or blade of wheat and found one 1 5 inches in 
length. Cattle are thriving here on grass & cows give a large 
mess of milk. Mr. Farnum of this town keeps 200 head of 
cattle. He says he has only foddered one month this winter, 
but manages in this way. He has plenty of pasturing, & has 
a good bite of feed on the ground in the fall of the year, or 
when winter commences, and it does not kill here as it does 
way down east, there in the state of Maine; water I am told 
does not freeze over in a kitchen more than 6 nights in a win- 
ter. Some people don't feed their hogs in the winter or sum- 
mer. The nuts on one acre of oak land, it is said, (such as I 
have purchased) will fatten four hogs well if it is a good sea- 
son, and you can see no difference between nut-fed and corn 
fed Pork. Some years there are but few nuts, generally plenty 
one year in three. It is thought they will be plenty next fall. 
If they are, I mean to have oceans of pork. Sheep will fat 
on them. 

Deer and wild turkeys are plenty here. I have seen flocks 
of both on my land. No Wolves, Bears, Foxes, or any other 
vermin to disturb the sheep or poultry, except the little crea- 
tures called the Possum, and they are very scarce. Since I 
have been here, I have been trying to think of something that 
we could have in the east which we can't have here, and I can 
think of nothing but cold weather — and might have said ene- 
mies. But I will say to you, my Dear, come ye out from 
among them, for I verily believe this Country ought to stand 
in preference to that, as much as Canaan did to the land of 
Egypt. It is folly to say the people don't live as well here as 
there. They can live as well as they please here, and as well 
as they can there, with half the labour. 

The price of labour here is one dollar per day in harvest, 
six York shillings in haying, & 5 the remainder of the year, 
or 12 or 13 dollars per month by the year. I have several 
grindstone quarries on my land, of a good quality. I have 
made two. There is a mill privilege on a 50 acre lot adjoining 
mine, 50 ft. fall, which could be bought for 5 dollars per acre. 



6i 

and some other lots which 1 think I should have purchased 
if I had more cash. There is a coal mine within 20 miles of 
this, salt is plenty at 50 cts. a bushel. Iron & iron ware cheap, 
a furnace within 25 miles, tin ware made in Town, An Acad- 
emy in Town, one meeting-house, & another one building, a 
factory within 4 miles. My land is descending to the east 
about as much as the hop ground, the surface smooth but roll- 
ing, several good brooks passing through it. handsome wood- 
lands, but few trees down. I measured one white oak but a 
short distance from my land, which measured 18 ft. round it, 
and a handsome body. The large trees are mostly white oak, 
some red and yellow oak, some hickory or walnut, of different 
kinds, some chestnut, whitewood, cucumber-tree, pepperage, 
boxwood, butternut, maple, beech, & liverwood, but no pine, 
hemlock, spruce, juniper, cedar or birch. I am burning white 
oak trees here which w'ould be worth 50 dollars a piece in At- 
kinson. I am told there are some pine trees in Town, but the 
cucumber and whitewood are substitutes. 

I understand by a man directly from Buffalo that the ice 
is in a body 40 miles above that place and they say there is 
some in yet at the head of the Lake, though the steam boats 
were passing from Cleveland to Detroit the 25 of March. — 
Ruth I like this country well, after what I have seen I shall 
never be contented to spend my days, and leave my children in 
the State of Maine. I have no doubt your health will improve by 
coming here. I have no fears that you harbor a thought of 
my being careless of you, but on the contrary that you are well 
aware that my best exertions will be made, to bring about the 
greatest good for you and my children, — do not feel too much 
alarmed at the thought of coming here, the thoughts of it will 
be worse than the journey. You can come in the steam boat 
to New York, then up the Hudson in a tow boat to Albany, 
then to Buffalo in a canal boat, then in a steam boat to Cleve- 
land, from there in a canal boat to Boston which is only three 
miles from my farm, the way they now go, but it is not much 
over a mile to the canal from my land to go a straight course. 
I am still living at Daniel Bayley's, in Bricksville. County of 
Cuyahoga. Ohio. I think you will be contented with the place 
w^hen you have been here long enough to prove it: it is all a 
humbug about the snakes, there have been three or four rat- 
tlesnakes seen in Town, but they were all killed. They say 
hogs kill & eat them. But I must here come to a close. I 



62 

shall write a few lines to Henry Snow, after subscribing your 
affectionate 

Husband 

Russ Snow. 



y 4. 
H. H. Snow, Bsg. 

Dear Brother, 1 hare not room to write much to you. as 
soon as Mr. Stocker comes 1 sliall \vrite to you again. But 
I want you to come un here and bring my family, & perhaps 
Stocker's; I want you to come and see for yourself. If you 
can plan so as to leave home and get here in the month of 
June I should like it. if not, the uiiddle of September, I think 
will be the time to set out. If }-ou h^xe not sent the money to 
me, keep enough to defray the expenses. 1 think the best way 
is by water. What baggage }ou bring nnist be ]>ut in rum 
hogsheads and headed up, you will ha\-e to pay more for bulk 
than weight. But some say it is best to come by land, and 
some say come to Albany b}' land by way of Concord, there 
put your horses and wagg<)u on board the canal boat to Buf- 
falo, there take the waggon again. If the women choose to 
come by land perhaps that w ill be the liest way. I think with 
proper management that will be as cheap and less liable to 
sickness, but a loug fatiguing journey, looo miles if you come 
by land; you will have a good span of horses, a covered wag- 
gon, furnish your own pro\'ision, that is, purchase bread at 
the Baker's, cheese, ham. tea, &c, pay for a room and do your 
own cooking, consult and advise, and write to me your de- 
cisicn. 1 think it Ijetter for you to come & bring my family 
ihan for me to go Ijack for them you see how }'ou like the 
plan. 

Your brother, 

Russ Snow. 
(P. S. to Henry.) 

I ha\e promised $200 in the month of June next for land, 
which I expect to recei\'e from you. I have this minute heard 
that the ice is piled in 30 ft. deep thirty miles from Buffalo, 
and that place is filled to^ overflowing by immigrants coming 
nil. Henry, don't you harbor a thought that you will make a 
loss by anything that you do for me. The land T have bought 
is % vours, if you want it. If you wish to go farther, this will 



f>3 

be saleable. 1 have been offered for a pari of it more than I 
gave. 'J'ell mother if she want.s lo come lo Ohio, she shall 
come, but she must come by water. 1 have not room for much 
compliments to Friends, but t(j all those who .still have care 
enough to make ini|niry about me. I will tender my best wish- 
es. T ha\e said tK^hing about my affairs at home, for 1 know 
nothing about them, li;i\t' heard nothing since I left. But re- 
member my family arc left in your caic. Have a brotherly care 
o\ thcni. and y»>n >b,(ll be rewarded. 

Yours 

R. Snow. 
P. S. Board, washing and mending one dollar per week, 
Mrs. Bayley sends her lo\e to mother .and .all the rest of her 
old ac(juaintances in Atkinson. 1 enclose a line to Mr. Lee. 
please to hand it tn bim. I ba\e only paid in y)art the land I 
ha\e bought. 1 can bn\- more the same wax. 

-May 3. There is a man here this morning that wants to [pur- 
chase of my lanil. 1 should like to purchase about as much as 
1 have bought, which lies adjoining. 



Bricksville 25 

Ohio June 6th. 

^[RS. RUTH SXOW, 
Atkinson. 

County of r*cnobscot. 
Maine. 

Bricksville, May 24. 1835. 
DcQ) Ruth, 

Yours of the third inst. arrixed May 20. I was much 
gratified to hear that you were all well as usual. Stocker and 
Newell arrived here two weeks since. Stocker is in good 
health and spirits, and Xewell has been comfortable since he 
left. Stocker is very much pleased with the purchase I have 
made, savs a great deal in favor of the land and situation, savs 
if he can have 50 acres here, he shall be contented. We are 
now clearing and harrowing for plantig corn, e.xpect to ptit 
in twelve acres. Have bought a fine pair of five year old cat- 



64 

tie, price $65, and hired Newell for a year $144, have made 
no bargain with Stocker, but he will keep on with me. I men- 
tioned that I had purchased a horse. He ran away soon after 
I bought him, rode four days after him and expected he was 
stolen, but have lately found him 20 miles from this, gave sixty 
dollars for him. He was gone six weeks, but have now got 
him on before my steers, and have a stout team. Have girdled 
the oak timber on twenty-five acres since Stocker came, ex- 
pect to have fifty acres sowed to wheat next fall. My health 
is perfectly good and am more fleshy than usual in the spring 
of the year. Don't have to call on Mrs. Bayley to make tea 
for headache, have this minute inquired of her if she had 
known or had heard of anyone in town being sick since I came 
into it. She says not. There is no waste land in Town, and 
it is nearly all settled. 

You mentioned in your letter that I said nothing about 
com.ing home. No, my Dear, I have no home there, nor do I 
want one there, if you can be persuaded to make it your home 
here, And I can get you here and tfie rest of my Treasures, 
(I mean my little ones). You say that you will try to be 
contented in a log house. I think that is all that will be neces- 
sary. If 1 am contented, that will help to make you so, and 
you are well aware that I shall use my best endeavors tO' make 
you contented and happy. That your health will be improved, 
1 have not the least doubt, and that your children will be more 
hearty. The privileges and conveniences that we can have 
here which are not to be had there, are so numerous that I 
have not time or room to give them in detail. With the 
knowledge I have of this country, the situation I have pur- 
chased, and the means I have for moving my family here, 1 
should feel myself under as much condemnation to spend the 
remainder of my days in the state of Maine as the man who 
buried his Talent in the ground. 

The farm which I have purchased for you is new, but can 
be made as handsome and as convenient a situation as any one 
in Town — all of it gradually descending tO' the east, but roll- 
ing or in gentle swells as you cross it from North to South, a 
small brook in each valley, of quick water. There are 7 or 
8 in number, it is well calculated to divide into two or more 
farms. Water can be carried in an aqueduct to any 
spot on it. The road will run through it from North 
to South. I have not seen the letter you sent to Buffalo. 



65 

I tulil Mr. Stocker to open it and read it and send it to Chi- 
cago, and he did, i understand you mentioned something 
about Sam'l Clark, that he had not got pay in full for the 
North Star. 1 expect he is correct. 1 had paid only two dol- 
lars towards it. IVIy wish is to have all my honest debts paid. 
I did not think of the paper when I settled with him. Newell 
told me that Bratlbury's notes became due in the month of 
May, and I have promised a little rising of 200 dollars on the 
strength of it in the month of June. As 1 have mentioned to 
you in a letter which you had not received when you wrote 
me last, 1 was pleased to hear that you had sent the Girls to 
school and that you were paying' in the way you mentioned. 

. When you or Henry can make sales of property, I think 
you had better do it. if you had rather come by land than by 
water, I expect you can come quite as cheap by furnishing 
and cooking your own provision, and l^e less liable to take dis- 
eases, especially the ague. If you come by land it would be 
well to set out by the 20th of August or the 1st of September. 
Provision and provender will then be cheap. You will prob- 
ably be one month on the road. If you come by water, you 
will hnd a rough, thievish set of Beings on board the boats. 
Some advise one way, some another. Mr. Bay ley advises to 
come by land. He says if you will leave off using molasses, 
honey, sweet cake, &c. you will have your health better. I do 
believe we have made too much use of sweet in our Family, 
for our health. We make use of none here, and I never had 
food relish better, or had better health. Our living consists 
of good tiour bread, pork, beef, plenty of milk, butter, cheese, 
eggs, &c — June ist. Sheep and cattle are as fat here now as 
they are in Maine the first of September. 1 saw a drove of 
150 three years old steers go through this town for New York 
City 3 days ago; they were large, fat & handsome. The own- 
er had purchased 300 of two men in Richfield (a Town join- 
ing this) who had kept them through the winter, the other 
150 to be pastured till ist of August, average price 50 cts. 
They had had no other keeping but hay and grass. 

Any information that is wanting please to let me know by 
letter. In return give my thanks to Owen, Holland and Or- 

pha for their messages of caution, advice, etc. to their Pa 

Write often It is very pleasing 

to me to hear from you, and very often do I anticipate the 



66 

pleasure of meeting you again. You express a wish to have 
the time short. Nothing shall he lacking on my part, nor will 
anything satisfy or render me happy, till 1 am again placed in 
the circle of my family. If it is your wish that 1 come and 
move you, I will come, but it will be necessary for me to have 
some remittances before I shall be in a situation. Or perhaps 
you will conclude it best for me to continue here to make prep- 
arations, consult and advise. 1 must write a few lines to Hen- 
ry and the Doctor. Sam'l Austin, Royal Miner, and some of 
Jira Martin's Children live within 15 miles of this. 1 have 
not seen them. Mr. Jona Barron and Moore are not dead as 
we supposed. I should have answered your letter before had 
not business prevented. We have been driving to get our 
corn in as the season is getting late. Have planted 3 acres, 
shall continue to plant gourd seed another week after that, the 
small kind. Let your care be to preserve your health in pref- 
erence to prosperity or anything else. Be of good courage, 
and that you may see happier days than you have seen yet, is 
the constant wish of your affectionate Friend and Husband, 

Russ Snow. 

(Conthntatio)i of Russ' letter to his brother Henry.) 

II. H. Snow, Esq. Bricksvii.le, June i, 1835. 

Dear Brother : 

I was under a mistake about Bradbury's notes not being 
(hie till August, but I am in hopes you will be able to make 
me some remittances before that, as my Cr. is at stake, which 
you know has always stood at par, & I should be sorry to ha\'e 
it underrated now. Tt appears you have some scruples about 
my being satisfied with this country. I have not been dissat- 
isfied with it, but the more T see of it the stronger T am in 
favor of it. I think you had better make sales when you can 
do well. & not wait to do better. You must sink money in sell- 
ing c*t moving, but you will still ha\'e enough, and we can here 
soon make up the loss, if it is necessary. It is merely possible 
vou can make .sales so as to start the whole caravan by the first 
of Sept. You had ought to set out as soon as that if you 
come. If you can't raise a purchase to start the whole, I hope 
you will a part. All things will lie ready here, if you will let 
me know what is wanting and can send me some cash. You 
have mv advice not to spend another cold winter in Maine, if 
vou can make sales that will do. I would advise to turn into 



'jj 



67 

cash wliat you can and to hnng notliinj^- but l)C(ls. clothes. X- 
I'ullcd clotli. unless you think of some little trinkets that will 
not he much hulk or weitjlit. 1 should like to have the side 
saddle, hut perhaps it would he too much hulk. \'ou can 
proI)al)lN- tui'n slock nv nthei' pniperU' intn hurses, \\ai>gnns, 
and harnesses; waggons must he made convenient and co\'- 
ered. You say you ha\e lost some sheep, bees &c. Pay nr) 
regard to losses of that nature. Let the loss he mine. Oon't 
harbour the liipo, but take hold like a day's wDrk. as 1 do. 
If 1 could ha\-e 200 dollars to pay for shoats. 1 could probably 
purchase with it 100 shoats that would weigh 100 lbs. each, 
which ] could fatten on nuts till spring, and do as well as if 
they were in a corn field. If there is shack, and they say 
there is no doubt but there will be. it is better business than 
raising hops. Pork is worth 20 dollars i^er barrel here, wheat 
8 York shillings, corn 5. oats 50 cts., potatoes 50. A good 
chance here for making bricks 3 dollars per 1000. lime 10 cts. 
])er bushel. T have seen a hog that has ran wild in the woods 
the two past years, and there were no nuts last year. Stocker 
wants his wife to write to him. and let him know how matters 
go on. \ewell says tell Dan to write to me. Rut T promised 
to write a few lines to Brother E. W. S. 

And can only add your Friend and Brother 

Russ Sxow. 

(Continuation of Russ' letter to his brother. Dr. E. J J'. Sno7i.\) 
E. IV. Snow. Esq. 

Dear Brother. T have onlv time or rooiTi to write a few 
lines to you. T thank vou for vour letter and your kind ad- 
monition. Tt appears that vour greatest fears are concern- 
ing the health of the country here. Doctor, that was one 
grand object in my coming here. My wish was to find a more 
healthy country. T think T have found it. T think it is as 
iTiuch preferable to "Maine in that respect as in any other. T 
am fully satisfied by information and observation that there 
is not so much sickness here as in the east. The people are 
more hardy, and can do more lalx>ur than iti ^Taine if they 
were dri\en to it as thev are there. There is more need of 
precaution to preserve health with you than with us. espe- 
ciall\- those of slender frames and constitutions. T have not 
been weighed but T thitik T ne\er was more fleshy or health v 
than T have been here since mv cough left me. ;md T h'xve been 



68 

to work hard. 

Perhaps you will not agree with me, but I am fully per- 
suaded that if you Doctor, would banish the sweetcake, sugar 
bowl, and honey cup from your table, your family would be 
more healthy. We can have plenty of honey and molasses 
here, but it is not so much in use here as there. As to com- 
pliments, m}^ friends will excuse me, the distance is so' great. 
I should like to send something of more importance, for they 
are rather insipid things in my estimation. Tell mother I 
think much about her, and thank her for her prayers and good 
wishes, and that she has mine in return, but when I pray for 
my friends, I do not stop there, but keep on and pray for my 
enemies likewise. Doctor, if any of my family have not been 
innoculated with the kine pox, I should like tO' have you do it ; 
or if any others should set out for this country if they have 
not, I think they had better have it done. If any of my fam- 
ily are sick, please to deal out some of your best pills, and I 
will subscribe your Friend and Brother, 

Russ Snow. 



LETTER BY RUTH HIBBARD SNOW. 

The only letter extant from the hand of Russ Snow's 
wife, Ruth (Hibbard) Snow, is the following, written some 
time in 1835 ^^ ^^^ husband while he was making the new 
home for her in Ohio. It is an affectionate, womanly letter, 
full of love and trust and anticipation of meeting her spouse 
in the new country. It shows, too, the fine wdiolesome spirit 
pervading her family, which was always, as posterity has rea- 
son to know, ideal in its home relations. 

(Sometime in 1835.) 
Dear Husband. 

I have written to you as you requested at Buffalo, but 
you left before you had time to receive it. Our letter was 
mailed March 30 — was sorry to hear you had not heard from 
home since you went away, and did not have the money as you 
wished. Spoke in favor of your having it, but Henry has told 
you the particulars. Says he will try to get it, when he hears 
from you again — thinks a few months wont make much dif- 



% 



69 

ference. He wrote you two letters at Boston, Mr. Porter two. 
I liaxe been to make Mr. Porter a x'isit 'went clown Friday' 
came home Wednesday, which was the first day of April ; had 
old Spot; came up alone except two of the little j^irls with 
me. Mr. Porter has broken up housekeeping-, will leave the 
place soon. I told you in my other letter what 1 had done 
respecting sending the girls to school. They iiave l^een gone 
eight weeks. 1 have not seen tliem since they went away. 
Payson has been to see them, they were well and contented ; 
will stay the quarter. My health alx>ut the same as when I 
wrote before. I think as much about you as ever. My house 
and garden and all tliat has looked so pleasant to me is all 
nothing- without you. I am lonesome with ten thousand all 
around me. but not more so than you are, I don't expect. 
They are all kind to me ; can have anything I wish for. You 
don't say anything about coming home yet. Henry says you 
may have the place again if you wish to come back. Act your 
pleasure, I will try to be content with whatever you think 
best. I expect you will get my other letter and answer it be- 
fore you have this. You will .see that my hand trembles a 
little. Let the time be short as you can before we meet. I 
have told you if you bought a new place to put up a log house. 
— I had rather live in a log house with you than live in a pal- 
ace without you. Give my respects to Mr. Bailey and wife. 
Am glad you have found old friends. The children are well, 
I have asked them what I should write for them. Owen says, 
tell pa he is willing to go ; Holland says, he would give a 
million of dollars to see bis pa, but tell, him to keep a stiff up- 
per lip. Orpha comes along with a tear in her eye and says 
she wants to see pa more than she does the girls, but tell him 
Maine is remarkably healthy. They all send their love to pa. 

From your affectionate 

Ruth Hibbard. 



yo 



LETTER BY RUSS SNOW. 

Bricksville 25 

O. July 31 

HENRY H. SNOW. ESQ.. 
Atkinson, 

County of Penobscot. 
(Maine) 

Bricksville, July 26. 1835. 
Dear Ruth — Yours of the fifth and Henry's of the loth botli 
arrived July 22nd & $100 inclosed. It was very pleasing to 
me to hear that you both enjoyed so good a state of health c^- 
spirits, that our famil\' and friends were all well, that the tWD 
famdies lived so agreeably together, etc. You tell nie that 
Henry is making preparations foi" luoving our families and 
that he or Alexander will come with you. 1 am glad t<_> hear 
that he has arranged business in that way, and you are right 
ncjt to wait for sale of hops, but sell out as soon as the first of 
Sept. if possible, so as to get here before the roads get muddy. 
as you are aware that the roads through New York and from 
there here, are not so hard in the rainy seasons as Maine & 
New Hampshire roads. You speak of Alexander getting into 
business here. T think the chance quite as good as there, as there 
are business places in exery direction from us and not far dis- 
tant, and I think the chance for setting up in business here as 
much preferal)le to that as it is for farming, say 50 per cent. 
or if Alexander would take hold \\ith us, we could afford him 
gO(xl wages. 

But T am sorry Henry is thinking of coming with single 
waggon wheels. 1 fear they will not (\o, T fear they will not 
live to get here. Mr. Bayley says by all means tell him not 
to set out with them, he says they will draw harder, will not 
be so saleable here, and he says you cannot get here with them 
on account of the clay holes or hip holes : he says likewise you 
must have the forward and hind ^\heels at least 4 feet apart 
or between tire. He advised, not to wash the horses in cold 
water as is the custouL but occasionally put on a little tallow 
on tlie breast and breast plate. 

You speak of the price <'»f feathers, fulled cloth and 
horses. Feathers are same here and I beliexc high, qo cts. 



71 

T think ten or twelve Cwt. including driver 
will he enough to each train. I should advise to weigh our 
families, then to weigh such stuff as we shall most stand in 
need of. and will bear freight the best. I think it will consist 
of beds, bedding, and wearing' apparel mostly. I mean such 
as we shall want for present use. Perhaps to wind u[) the 
concern when Henry is ready to come on, it will be best to 
have some baggage brought by water as you mention, but I 
am told there is quite a risk in transporting goods in that way. 
There is so much shifting and overhauling. Baggage is called 
for at every hour in the night for this place, that or the other, 
and other baggage is to be o\'erhauled. and perhaps the wrong 
baggage set on shore, sometimes perhaps accidentally, and 
sometimes on purpose. Steam boats are most noted for car- 
rying thieves on board, and it is the prevailing opinion that 
the captains are confederates with them. The land route will 
be the most safe on account of thieves, but it would l:>e well 
to keep a good look out for them on the land, especially after 
you leave the eastern states. New York is full of Irish. Swiss, 
etc. I should advise to have what money you bring in as large 
bills as is convenient, and what is not necessary for present 
use. for you or Alexander, if he comes, to have a cloth tacked 
round it. and ha\'e it tacked into a pocket in an under waist 
coat, under the shirt, and not to have much in sight at time 
of making change. 

Fulled cloth bears as good a price here as there, perhaps 
rather better, and T think more saleable, as the people are not 
in the way of raising sheep so much here as there at present, 
although this is a fine place for sheep. Bayley has 30. They 
get their living in the wood and are fatter than T ever saw in 
the east at this time of the year. Price about the same here 
as there. The price of horses about the same, mares the most 
saleable. The price of sheeting 11 and 12 cts. The black 
mares are not very well spanned. His is not so good to hold 
a load going down hill and is not so free to travel, but per- 
haps they will do. The colt must be broken in season. 

You can think what will be best to bring perhaps as well 
as T can tell you. but T will mention the cow bell, rounding 
plane, punch for marking sheep, and perhaps the handsaw. 
You will need a chest to carry provision in. bags will be need- 
ed if you have some good ones. You can carry bread and 
cheese all the time with you. crackers, etc.. you can purchase 



72 

them at Bakers, Groceries or Farmers. When you can get 
milk for the children I should advise it. You and Louisa will 
want tea or the two Louisas, if our niece comes, and I should 
be pleased to have her come. Fresh meat will not be good for 
children on a journey or much green stuff. Flour, bread, 
milk, crackers and cheese ought I think to be their principal 
food. Bread and milk has been almost my whole living this 
summer and I never was heartier or could do a better days 
work in my life, and never have been so' fleshy. Stocker is 
likewise hearty and very fleshy. Newell says he never saw his 
father so fat, but he thinks his belly has been a little larger. 
I have not lost an hours labor on account of sickness since I 
got rid of my cough which was not long after I came here. I 
had a little touch of the rheumatism, occasioned by getting 
wet when v;e had been hard at work, but it soon left me. 
Stocker got cold at the same time, laid by ^ day. Excepting 
that, we have had no sickness. Newell holds his own, thinks 
of purchasing a piece of land here but I have been telling him 
he had better make a bargain with a young Widdow in the 
neighborhood who has a fine farm under way. 

Your caution I will try and take. You mention that I 
talked of carrying on business in a smaller way in future. That 
is still my intention, but I must get a farm under way so that 
I can have some income, before I can slack my hand. Then 
my intention is to raise stock, hogs and sheep and not to till 
ground any more than is necessary for our family. Hogs must 
cut their own fodder pretty much, and fat on shack. Cows 
we must keep enough for our own family's use. but not enough 
to make a slave of you. Then what we have tO' turn off of the 
farm will be beef, pork, wool, mutton. We shall not need 
half so much hay here to winter the same stock that we should 
there, and it is entirely unnecessary to till the ground here to 
raise hay. It does not bind out as it does there, but it is a 
good way to shift it from mowing to pasturing and pastur- 
ing to mowing. I never saw so handsome mowing fields in 
my life as some which T have seen here, where it was pastured 
last year, some twO' or three tons to the acre, as full and hand- 
some as I ever saw. Red top, herd grass and white clover, 
are the kinds of grass raised here. 

My neighbor Stevenson sold some time in last month 9 
two year old steers at $13. each and took his cash. They 
were to be sure about as large as common 3 years old in the 



1^:1 



73 

east, hut they had not cost more than the yearhngs cost there 
and they were purchased by another neighbor, a s^xiculator, 
to keep another year and then to l>e sold for beef. 

Newell wants his Brother Henry Stocker to send him a 
horse or if he can't get a horse, he wants him to send him some 
money, or if he will send him a good horse, one that will per- 
form the journey well, and some money too. it will answer his 
purpose. I have concluded not to send Newell as I wrote you 
that I should in my last which was mailed the same day that 
you mailed yours. T think it will be best to provide teamsters 
there as it will be less expense, if they should not return, and 
no more if they should, and one days work done here is worth 
tw^o there. Mr. Stocker has purchased him a piece of land. 50 
acres, a small possession, and a good log house on it. price $6 
per acre, joining ours. I spoke of your living on the road 
more on account of health than economy but it is good to use 
economy and you will find with all that you can use. money 
will go fast, but if you should have bad luck and you should 
have to spend more than you expect, you must not be fright- 
ened, we have enough, you know. I want you to write when 
you set out and occasionally on the road, if it is but a few 
words. If you have trouble and my presence is necessary. I 
shall be on my taps. Do not try to make so great speed as 
to get beat out. put up in good season at night, or at least 
make the trial, so that if you do not like the place, you can 
go further. It would perhaps be well for Henry or Alexan- 
der or whoever comes to make a bargain with the landlord 
where you put up, you can know what you want, and in that 
way you will not be so liable to be taken in. 

I am still well pleased with my purchase and what we have 
done is worth $tooo more than we gave, and my mind is not 
far from that, as land is selling in this quarter. The bill you 
sent me was very handy change. It took up my note of $100 
& made others more easy. Fetch what money you can with- 
out crow'ding too hard and I think we can make it do. T shall 
be ownng for land here something like $500. The remainder 
is in yearly payments. I want to purchase 50 acres more 
which will make 430 all in one body and I think will do for 
the present. Our field of corn looks handsome. It is such as 
I never saw in the east. The first is high as my head and but 
few tassels to be seen, but that is the turkey legged, .\bout 
one half of it is Yankee corn that looks well. We shall have 



74 

potatoes, pumpkins, squashes, cucumbers and mutton plenty. 
I have sowed six or seven acres of the corn g'round tO' grass, 
after we had roed it and mean to sow the whole when I can 
get seed. What I have sowed has come up well. 

I expect Bangor bills are current here. I am told vou 
can get a premium on Massachussetts bills here, that they are 
worth more than Ohio bills, as there is a discount on Ohio bills 
in New York where a great part of Ohio trade goes. You 
speak of sending me a little pocket money. I suppose I can 
get along without as we have not as yet been destitute, but if 
you will tuck me a bill in your next, I will take it as a token 
of friendship, if it is a smaller one. Perhaps yoti had better 
take charge of the money which you will not probably want 
on the road as Alexander will probably have to sometimes 
sleep with strangers. 

Tell Mother I am sorry to be placed at such a distance 
from her, but it surely must be pleasing rather than other ways 
to have her Children placed in a Country where the climate 
is congenial to their constitutions, instead of having them drag 
out the remainder of their lives in that frozen region and have 
their days shortened by the chilling blast. I have now come 
to the bottom and must reserve the next page for others. 

Yours sincerely 

Russ Snow. 

(Continuation of Russ Sno7v's letter to his children.) 

Charlotte, Jane, Owen, Holland, Orpha. 
My children. It was very pleasing to me to hear that you 
were all well and that yon live so agreeably and friendly with 
your little Cousins, that you are so much attached tO' each oth- 
er &c. But my Children, I am not unaware that you stand in 
need of a Father's care and admonition, and I hope the weeks 
will not be very many before you will all be pkced under his 
protection. Be good Children as you always have been, be 
obedient to your Ma, and try to relieve her cares and make 
her burden lighter, as you know she has a double care devolv- 
ing on her. Be careful of each other and yourselves on the 
road. Charlotte says in her letter (which was, by the bye, a 
verv good one) that Jane is as rude as ever. Perhaps Char- 
lotte, if she was not quite so talkative and you were a little 
more sociable, it would be as well, but I shall not now pretend 
to find much fault with either or any of you, although you 



75 

must be aware that a Parent with all his partialities cannot 
see the failings of his children as others can. You want to 
know Charlotte what kind of style 1 wish you to come in; I 
should say Quaker style by all means. 1 must now write a 
few lines to your Uncle, and Louise and have only room to 
tender to my children the love and best wishes of an affection- 
ate Father, 

Russ Snow. 

{Coiitiituutioti of Russ' letter to his brother Henr\.) 

Henry. 1 have written so lengthy to Ruth that 1 have not 
much bearing on my mind at present to v>rite to you. I think 
you had a good offer made for the farm and I fear the chance 
will slip, and you may not have so good a chance again. You 
say land is rising there, but I expect it is rising faster here. 
Still you are there and can tell what is for the best better than 
I can dictate. 1 want you to spare no pains in rigging out 
our families so that they will come comfortable and safe. You 
mention that Stocker does not send word what he wants you 
to do. I have asked him to write but he puts it on to me, and 
says it will do just as well. Still there is no mistake he is as 
well pleased with the country as I am, but is timid on account 
of resources and expenses of moving, but whatever failure 
there is on that account, we must stand in the gap for the 
present. 

I must now answer some of Louisa's questions. 

Yours R. S. 

{Continuation of Russ' letter — to his niece, Louisa {Snow) 

Willett.) 

Dear Niece I shall now attempt to answer your ques- 
tions, but I have been too intent on business and spent so much 
time in the woods since I came here, I fear I shall not answer 
them correctly. Question ist. What is the state of education in 
this immediate vicinity. It is rather low as the place is new 
and the people came in poor, but are much interested in schools 
and have a school in this district, summer and winter. Have 
Sabbath schools in three directions from our land, one in Bos- 
ton on the Canal, one at Bricksville center 3 miles, one at Rich- 
field center 3 miles, another I am told in our district one mile. 
Meeting houses at the center, one Methodist, one Congrega- 



76 

tional. I have attended one meeting, the 4th of July, at the 
center of this Town. Had an oration, rising of 200 ladies 
formed a procession, well dressed. This Town is small, 5 
miles square, 140 voters. Have temperance meetings; it is 
said, ^ of the people in Town belong to a temperance society. 
Had a constitution presented to me but I did not sign it. Last 
question. Do they practice as much morality? I think there 
are not so many devilish rogues here as there. They say there 
are some honest men here. You know there are none there. 
The best of them practice a little fraud, in order to get an 
honest living, as they term it, but they have been placed there 
under the North pole, where it was not designed for man to 
live, and they hardly know that they are trespassing on the 
bears and w'ild oats. 

Yours Affectionately 

Russ Snow. 

To Louisa Snow. 
Dear wife I want to see you and the children. Russ has writ- 
ten all about it. Amos Stocker. 

(Continuation by Russ Snow.) 

You must buy your oats by the bushel or perhaps two or 
three bushels as you light on chances. 

I think your route will be by Concord, then I will direct you 
to Fort Alitter Bridge, across the North river, then to Johns 
Town, then Utica, then Buffalo or perhaps leave Buffalo to 
the north and strike the lake at Dunkirk 30 miles above. 



\ 



77 

LETTERS BY DR. E. W. SNOW. 

The following- letter was written and sent by Dr. Eleazer 
VVheelock Snow from Atkinson, Maine, to his brother Russ 
in Brecksville. Ohio, shortly before Russ' wife started with her 
children and a hired driver to make the long overland journey 
by carriage to join her husband. 

Atkinson, Aug. 29, 1835. 
Dear Brother. 

We are all in pretty good health. Mother tries her crutch- 
es once in a while, talks about Ohio and says Mr. Harvey tells 
her she can go there. Ruth has sold furniture enough to 
amount to 70.00 dollars or more, and has collected in a good 
many little debts, has packed up two hogsheads of goods and 
sent to Bangor to go with Louisa & thinks of starting her 
train about the eight of Sept. She and the girls have good 
courage & want to be with you. 

Crops look pretty well here with the exception of corn. 
That I think will get ripe before the frost. 

The wild land in this town has been bonded and sold for 
3 dolls, per acre. Since that one half of it has been sold for 
5.00 per acre. It is quite a time for speculating in wild land. 
The New Yorkers have become enamoured with the timber 
lands of the state of Maine. The land speculators think noth- 
ing of making 10 thousand before dinner. Mr. Barney's 
farm is bonded at three thousand dollars & will probably be 
sold in consequence of a kind of paint or ore that is found on 
it. I saw Benja Smith this morning, he says he thinks he 
must go and see you if he can sell. His farm is bonded at 
eight hundred dolls. I value my real estate here at 25.00 
dolls. 

From your brother E. W. Snow. 
Mother sends her love to Mrs. Bayley. 



Dr. Eleazer Wheelock Snow accompanied Ruth (Hib- 
bard) Snow on her journey to Ohio as far as Bath, New 
Hampshire, where the emigrants stopped a week, visiting in 
the old home of the family. The letter w'hich ensues was 
written to Russ by the Doctor during the stay in Bath, before 
Ruth proceeded to Ohio and the Doctor returned to Atkin- 
son. 



78 

Bath N. H. 25 

Sept 24. 

RUSS SNOW, ESQ., 
Bricksville, 
County of Cuyahoga. Ohio. 

Sept. 23. (1835) 
Dear Brother. 

Since Charlotte commenced writing we have altered our 
plan respecting going on. Mr. Zadock Merril came here and 
offered to go with the family for a little more than his ex- 
penses on. And we have concluded to let him go. He will 
start day after tomorrow, which will be Friday the 25th day 
of September. The load is so heavy for the horses that it is 
necessary for the driver to walk up all the hills and I find 
(i very fatiguing for me; was it not for this I should proceed. 

I think it will be best for you to watch for their arrival 
and not attempt to meet them unless they should write again. 
We are all well as usual, though I am some troubled with pal- 
pitation & pain in my side. I thought I should like to see the 
country, but when I do, it will be best to take my family with 
me and go by water. Perhaps I may sell my property and 
go to that country to live. When you get settled with your 
family around you, and have a little leizure time, you may 
look around, and see what kind of a chance you think there 
is for me in that section of the country. I shall probably start 
for home the day that Ruth starts for Ohio. Write often. 

From your affectionate brother 
E. W. Snow. 

Russ Snow — 



* 



The contents of the letter following indicate plainly when 
it was written, — after the arrival of Ruth (Hibbard) Snow in 
Brecksville. The superscription shows it to^ have been directed 
to Russ, but it was intended for him and his wife. 



79 

Atkinson Me. 
Apr 14. 

RUSS SNOW. KSQR. 
Bricksville, 

Ohio. 

Atkinson, Dec. 4. 1835. 
Dear Brother & Sister 

I-ycist week we received your letter of Nov. 9 which gave 
us an account of the safe arrival of your family at Bricksville. 
We were much pleased with it as we had het^iin to entertain 
some fears about your safety, on account of not hearing from 
you sooner. After leaving you at Bath, I purchased a new sad- 
dle for 12 dolls, and started on horseback for liome. Saw no 
coons on the way. Found a cap, a knife <^ a b(X)k which we 
left going on. Took the book and left the rest. Reached home 
in se\'en days. Lamed my mare a little in one of her hind 
legs. Sold her to Henry for $70. She soon recovered of her 
lameness and is now considered worth a hundred dollars. Cost 
me $65. 

During the first two months after I came home I charged 
about 130 dollars. Have taken off an arm for a man in Alon- 
son 30 miles from here, took it off between the elbow and 
wrist in consequence of a wound in the hand two months l>e- 
fore the operation. 

We had a very pleasant fall here. The roads were dry 
and smooth until about the 12 of November. Then we had 
some snow and sleighing for a few days. The snow was soon 
carried off with rain and on the 23rd of Nov. we had more 
snow and tolerable sleighing ever since. The last of Nov. 
and the first of Dec. has been pretty dry and cold. The crops 
of corn and grain here have been rather lighter than usual. 
Wheat is worth 7-6 to 9-1. I have just asked a gentleman 
from Bangor the price of corn and flour there. He tells me 
corn is worth v$2.oo per bushel and flour $9.00 per barrel. 
Hay has been selling for ten and twelve dollars per ton here, 
and for $20. in Bangor, but T understand it has fallen some 
in Bangor. Tileston sold his hay in Brownville for $16.33 
per ton. Oats are worth 3- per bushel at the barn. Round 
hog is worth from seven to nine cents per pound in Bangor, 
beef 3 to 4 cents. Meat stock and horses are rather low. 

Henry has a fair prospect of selling his farm to a man 



8o 

in Massachusetts. He received a letter from the man a few 
weeks ago. He writes that he will give him 3250.00, 2800. 
of it next spring & the remainder of it in neat stock in two 
yearly payments. Henry has written him that he will close a 
bargain with him if he will pay him for the betterments he has 
made on the farm this fall, and make the last payments in 
beef, pork, hay or grass seed. He expects to hear from him 
again soon. Henry's crop of hops were light and second 
quality in Boston market, i believe he had about a ton of 
them. He sent them to Boston but they are not sold yet. He 
does not expect to get over 10 cents per lb. Henry has fat- 
tened 2 yoke of oxen and some young creatures. Mother went 
from here yesterday to Henry's. She is well and will prob- 
ably stay with him some time. ■• 

We intend to have her well taken care of while she lives, 
and shall endeavor to make her as comfortable and happy as 
we can. She was almost overjoyed when I returned from 
Bath. I came so unexpected. I got your fulled cloth which 
was at the clothiers and shall probably make use of some of 
it. The next time you write you can direct me what tO' do 
with it. If I should use it or sell it, I shall expect to account 
to you for it. 

Tileston has raised about 200 bushels of wheat and is in 
pretty good spirits. We are all in pretty good health and it 
is healthy all about us. Helen and Amanda have been to the 
Academy this fall, boarded at the Preceptor's. Our school 
commences here tomorrow. The instructor, Mr. Davis of 
Bangor, boards with us. We are to have 9- shillings per 
week for board. I have been offered 1000 dolls, for my build- 
ings and land on the west side of the road. I have just read 
my letter and Amanda says I have not called Mam's name 
once. She is well and sends her love. We have had a school 
in our house since the Academy closed. 

Your affectionate brother E. W. Snow. 

Give my love and respects to Stocker and his wife. My 
love to all the children. A letter from Charlotte to Grandma 
rind from Louisa to Hibbard according to promise. All well 
,'it Hibbard's. Mother boarded with him seven weeks this 
fall. 



8i 



LETTER BY lOOCTOR E. W. SNOW. 

This letter contains reference to the eniij^ration of an- 
other New Englander to Ohio, in the spring- of 1836. It was 
written to Russ by the Doctor. This was several months be- 
fore Henry started. Unfortunately, we have no letters by 
Henry's hand, relating to this interesting- period, l)Ut many 
are directed to him, and such frequent mention is made of him 
that his affairs are pretty well elucidated. 
Buffalo 18. 



r 10. N. Y. 



MR. RUSS SNOW, 

Bricksville, 

Ohio. 



Atkinson, April. 10, 1836. 
Dear Brother : 

Mr. Smith thinks of starting for Ohio and I expect he 
will be the bearer of this. He seeks a better country. We are 
sorry to part with him; he has proved himself to be a man of 
truth and honesty. We should have had him for one of our 
selectmen the present year if he had not determined on going 
away. He has lived near me a number of years, and I should 
have tried hard to persuade him to stay longer did I not have 
some secret thoughts of leaving myself. Smith rarely speaks 
of another's faults, and he never bestows praise on the un- 
deserving. However, I need not eulogize him to you ; you 
have known him before. Isaac Brown intends to start witli 
him. He says he means to see you. He is a good fellow. 

We have had about such a winter as we usually have. 
Sleighing continued gocKl until the first of April, since thnt 
time the snow' has been going off pretty rapidly. Tiie fields 
look rather naked in spots, but there is a foot or two of snow 
in the woods. We have all of us been sick with colds, but 
we are now better. The measles are about here and. some have 
been pretty sick. There has been a few cases of lung fever. 

Mother has been sick with the erysipelas but is now well. 
Henry's youngest has had the croup but is getting better. Some 
of Tileston's family have the measles but are not dangerous. 
I have had as much business lately as I have been able to at- 
tend to. I had a call to Milton last night to see a sick woman. 



82 

but it rained and 1 refused to go on account of my cough. I 
liave paid for my last land purchase, let out lOO dolls, or more, 
and have over 50, now in the wallet. Took lOO dolls, for my 
gray mare a short time since, and have none now to ride but 
old Spot. She is fat, handsome and gay. My gray colt is 
large and handsome. Money is plenty as usual. Hay has 
been sold from 10 to 15 dolls, per ton. At Bangor from 15 
to 25. Flour from 10 to 10.50 per bar'l. Good wheat is worth 
from 10- to 2.00 per bus. Farmers that have everything to 
sell find a good market. 

nth. Was called out last night to visit the sick, left 
them comfortable. 

Bill Crosby and family have moved to town, is putting up 
a large house. Have been called to visit his family, and his 
father's. Nothing said. Chase not quite so popular with his 
own party, finds he cannot rule the whole. Louisa and Helen 
are at Foxcroft studying French. 

Want to know if you have any marino sheep. Are there 
any in the place, what is the price of wool, of leather, of fac- 
tory cloth, good horses, etc. How much waste land in 
Brecksville? How many inhabitants in town? How many 
in the village where the academy is? What number of in- 
habitants in the adjoining towns. How many scholars usually 
attend the academy? Are the dead languages taught there? 
Have you any good roads? Is the face of the country gener- 
ally level ? Any mountains to be seen ? Which way do your 
streams mostly run ? Any good intervals or meadows on them, 
or is the land marshy and low? How large a part of your 
farm can you plow handsomely? How long since your town 
was first settled? 

We are getting along just about after the old sort. Dor- 
cas is washing the floor, wants me to say something pretty 
about her. If she had some new teeth, I think she would be 
about as handsome as ever. We have visited a good deal this 
winter, have been invited to one ball, did not attend, too grey. 
Dorcas goes to a quilting this afternoon. Want to know how 
you and Stocker's folks get along from time to time. How 
Louisa enjoys herself. The next time I write, it will be to 
brother Amos and his wife. I may want to engage him to 
build a brick liouse yet. Have some hay to sell. Wheat like- 
wise. Henry Stacker and wife were here to visit us a few 
days ago. Daniel was in last evening, all well. The ladies 



83 

in Atkinson are about petitioning tiie Selectmen to stop the 
selling of rum in town. I4tli. Was at \Vm. Crosby's twice 
yesterday to see a sick child. Tell Louisa to give herself noun- 
easiness about motluT. 1 intend she shall he well taken care 
of if I outlive her. 

Your Brother. K. VV. Snow. 

* * * * 

Eleazer W'heelock Snow and Russ Snow married sisters, 
namely Dorcas and Ruth Hibbard. The letter which appears 
immediately hereafter is a compound letter, and was written 
just about a year after Ruth had follf)wed Russ to Ohio, and 
just before Henry Holland Snow started for Brecksville with 
his family to locate near Russ. The first half is from Dorcas 
to her sister Ruth, and the second half from Dr. Eleazer 
Wheelock. to his brother Russ. The ties between these four 
vcere rather close, the husbands being brothers and the wives 
sisters. That is apparent from the tone of the letters. 



MRS. RUTH SNOW. 

Bricksville, 

Ohio. 

Atkinson, Sept. 25, 1836. 
Dear Sister: 

Henry's family will start soon ; it brings to mind the 
heart-rending scene we had to pass through a year ago. We 
received your kind letter with pleasure, was glad to hear of 
your healtli and prosperity, pleased to hear that you and your 
girls like it so well. I exi>ect it is a good country, still I think 
you might always have had a good living here. It is hard 
parting with friends. vSally has not visited me but a few 
times since you went away, still it will be liard parting with 
her and her family. I w-ant to see you and your family very 
much. I have often looked out of the window before I 
thought, thinking tO' see some of you coming up to the gate. 
Ruth it is too bad to think of; that we are 1000 miles apart. I 
never shall forget your la'ndness to me and my family. T miss 
vou \-erv much, often want your advice. T think more about 
\ou than all the rest of my brothers and sisters. T have not 
heard from any of them since last winter. Airs. Clark had a 
letter from Sally Clark; she mentioned the death of Mary Hil> 



84 

bard and Eliza Bartlett. Mr. Clark has bought him a farm in 
Guilford, he will move soon. Mrs. Clark is well, sends her 
love to you and your family. vShe told me that she should 
write to Mrs. Stocker. 

The Doctor has been quite out of health this fall. He 
mentioned the other night (his cough w^as so troublesome he 
could not sleep) that it would have been a satisfaction to him 
if Henry and Russ had stayed here. 

Ma was very much pleased with Charlotte's letter, pleased 
with her choice on the fourth of July, glad to think that she 
likes it so well there. Abiel called here this evening, he wished 
me to write a few lines for him. He and his family are well. 
Sally has got her spinning and weaving done. She did not 
make any cheese this summer. Tim is as saucy as ever. They 
send their love to you all and think they shall write soon. 
Henry told me the other day, if I would make them a visit 
he would bear my expenses. I think he is very kind and gen- 
erous. We sold our wool except a little for stockings. I was 
sorry you could not have a good web of flannel. I think you 
need flannel there as much as w^e do here. I have had one new 
gown since you went aw-ay. Dear Sister. I often have some- 
thing to tell you. I want to see dear little Orpha and Holland. 
Amanda has made use of Orpha's sun-bonnet this summer. 

Mrs. Barney is quite unwell with the rheumatism and 
Mrs. Chase is very sick with jaundice. Ma joins me in love to 
you all. Tell Mrs. Stocker to write. I want to see her very 
much. Ma has sent her a dollar in money by Henry. The 
Doctor often speaks of the parting scene with you at Aaron's, 
speaks of Jane coming out of the orchard, putting her arms 
around his neck and kissing him. I wish I could have a kiss 
from her. Write me as often as you can, for this is the only 
way we have to converse together at present. T expect I shall 
have a visit from Louisa and Charlotte in a year or two. Ed- 
win has missed Owen very much this summer. 

So ends my scrawl. D. Snow. W^ite. 

{Continualion by Dr. B. JV. Snoiv to his brother, Russ.) 

Oct. 5. 
Dear BrotJwr: 

Henry's family started in 
the carriage about a week ago, leaving him and Payson to go 



85 

by water. They will start in a day or two. Henry will tc!) 
you all about us but Dorcas wished me to fill the last page of 
her sheet. It is some rainy today, but I must start away soon 
to assist the sick. My health is some better. 

In consequence of the early frosts this season, provisions 
of all kinds must bear a high price. Flour is worth $10.00 
to 10.25 i^er bar. at Bangor, corn from 7- to 7-6, hay from 
$15. ito 17. per ton. Oats, .50 cts per Ini.. eggs .18 per doz. 
molasses from 3- to 3-6. Beef is likewise i>retty high $4.00 
to 6.00 per hund. Fat sheep and lambs 2 cents per lb. In this 
section of the country our wheat crop is tolerable good ; though 
in the western part of the state many fields of wheat are de- 
stroyed by the weavel. Horses are very low here. The coun- 
try is overstocked with them. T bought a young five years old 
mare this summer for 55. dollars. She was from Vermont. 
I would sell her for the same now. but I think I could not get 
it. My 2 years old gray is a large handsome colt. Was of- 
fered a colt worth 20 or 25 dollars and $50 for him a short 
time ago, but did not take. Mother is with me now, but ex- 
pect she will go to Tileston's in a few weeks to remain there 
until spring. 

Your brother, E. W. Snow. 

(The follozving postcript was zvrittcn zvith a sliarp pen at 
right angles aeross the last page of uriting in this letter, there 
being no other available space on the foolscap sheet.) 

Brother Riiss: 

When you and Henry were here we could shift mother 
about and make it easy for us. and tolerable pleasant for her. 
Now^ you are gone, the care is left to Tileston and me. You 
know her helplessness and her infirmities, but I give you my 
word brother I shall endeavor to make her as comfortable as 
possible, and make her last days pass pleasantly, if I can. 
Mother lives in the chamber most of the time when with me. 
I want some of you to write to me as often as once a quarter. 
It is not impossible but that I may sell and move west within 
a few years, but it is very uncertain. Real estate is not very 
saleal>le at presenl .Money is scarce and purchasers few. We 
liave not had sufficient rains the present year to bring the lum- 
ber down the streams. Most of the saw mills on the Penob- 
scot have lacked water to saw. You may think me very eco- 
nomical in cross writing. But I did not consider this letter 



86 

was going by private conveyance until Dorcas first men- 
tioned it. 

LETTER BY CHARLOTTE SNOW. 

The final letter of this series, illuminating the emigra- 
tion of parts of Benjamin Snow's family, is the one written by 
Russ' oldest daughter and child, Charlotte Snow, some sixty 
years after her journey to Ohio, and to which reference has 
already been made. The account is short, but is the only one 
we have, descriptive of the trip, written by one who made it. 

Chadwick, Jan. 5, 1875. 

My Dear Niece May 

Thanks for the very pretty handkerchiefs that you sent 
me through the mail. A ''New Years Gift" and the paper 
containing a short history of Mrs. Willett's early life, and the 
family, & journey to Brecksville. Our family came one year 
before they did. Our conveyance was a covered carriage set 
on thorough braces, three seats, and as easy as a cradle. We 
were not encumbered with any baggage — sent our goods by 
water to Cleveland, excepting Cataraugus Woods, we came on 
a good round trot the most of the way, stayed over Sunday 
and went to church — ate our breakfast and supper at Hotels, 
our Dinner was a lunch in the carriage. Stayed a week in Bath 
New Hampshire, at Mother's old home. While there heard 
their old A'linister Dr. Sutherland preach. Counting in our 
week there we were five weeks on the road. 

The boys had new suits with handsome black broadcloth 
caps and they were out running behind the carriage just for. 
fun as often as they chose. Mother and the girls had grey 
traveling suits trimmed with black silk braid, straw bonnets 
with Green trimming. Orpha's was open-work straw, lined 
pnd trimmed with pink — How she did sing when we arrived 
at Brecksville for we were near home— Orpha was six years 
old. There was no road from the State road by our home, 
only through the woods, which was not bad by anv means. 
Reading about Mrs. Willett has brought this all back. Pleas- 
ant memories. I have written so much about old times that 
T have no time to write about the present. 

From your Aunt Charlotte L. Snow. 



87 



LETTER BY TILESTON AND E. W. SNOW. 

The following- letter, like so many of those which were ex- 
chanr^ed by members of this family in the early days, was a 
combination letter written thus to save paper and postage, and 
to give the recipients the news of all the branches. It was 
penned October 6 and 7, 1839. by Tileston an-l E. W. Snow, 
in Maine, and contained the Maine news for the brothers in 
Ohio. 

25. 
Atkinson, October 7. 

Mr. Russ Snow, 

Brecksiillc, Ohio. 
Dear Brother : I am growing old but cares and troubles do 
not dwindle as old age advances as I would wish. I can 
hardly get time to write a letter. We are all well but our 
neighbors are dying around us with fever. William Brown is 
dead. Henry Frost lies at the point of death at the Hutch- 
ings place. Mother is living with us in good health. Weighs 
perhaps 180 or 200 but you know she is decrepit and help- 
less. Elizabeth is married to Dana Hamlet. Russ is going 
to the academy and has been no help to me the year past. He 
has kept school winters since he was 18 & more. He has got 
a lieutenant's commission in tlie Cavalry. * * * 

I have no oxen now and but three cows. Do my work 
principally w-ith horses. No sale for farms here now^ I do 
not believe the old farm you left would fetch two thousand 
Dollars. I should like to hear how you prospered in Ohio. 
How your crops come in. Whether Jane is living. I have 
been obliged to give you rather a dark picture but everything 
considered I had ought to be thankful as the Lord has blessed 
tne two fold above mv enemies. 

My love and good will to yourself and family & Henry's 
family &c. 

Your old friend. Tilkston Snow. 

o 

Dear Sister: Here is a little space left which Dorcas wishes 
me to fill in writing a few words to you. We wish to hear all 
about vour troubles and joys. Russ never even mentioned 
anything about Charlotte's marriage. We do not expect to 
hear thnt Jane is living. H she should be when you receive 



88 

this letter, give her our best love. Write us particulars about 
Brother Stocker's family. We wish to know if Louisa or 
any of Brother Henry's family are married l3€sides Alex- 
ander. Tell us what you are all about in Ohio & how you 
prosper. Mother is well & will probably be with us the com- 
ing winter. I have been trying to get a pension for her but 
have not succeeded yet. I shall try again the next session of 
Congress but do not expect to succeed. Henry Stocker pros- 
pers very well. He raises good crops and keeps free from 
debt. Daniel Stocker has almost paid for the old farm that 
his father left. He was here a few days since. He was up 
on business for Mitchell. Colonel Chase is married again to 
a Miss Wheeler, sister to Mrs. Jackson. She is about five or 
six & twenty, Mrs. Wood that was. Elsy Sherburne died 
about a week ago at Stetson. Left a babe five or six weeks 
old. She was brought to her father's to be buried. 
Ruth Snow. E. W. Snow. 



-o- 



SUNDAY MORNING, Oct. 6, 1 839. 

Dear Brother : 

I was just preparing to write to you as Tileston came in 
with the letter. To save postage I write here. We have not 
received a line from any of you since I sent fifty dollars to 
Henry which I think was the middle of July. We have got 
an execution against Mitchell but did not choose to levy on 
real estate as we have the promise of a part or all soon in cash. 
There is a pretty fair prospect of getting it but still there is 
some uncertainty about it. Should we succeed in getting this 
we shall try others soon. The hay that I received of Johnson 
is but very little of it sold and I see no prospect of selling it. 
I have agreed with Mr. Johnson to let it remain in his barn 
until next winter or spring. I wish for some directions re- 
specting it. Perhaps it will be best to have it drawn to Ban- 
gor by sledding & stored there. I have sold or bargained the 
Besse lot, so called, to Daniel C. Brown, for three hundred 
dollars. The first payment is to be on the ist of October, 1840. 
He is to have three years to complete the payments. This is 
the best that I can do with it. I wish you tO' send on a deed to 
him immediately if you consent to the bargain. Have it ac- 
knowledged. I shall take his notes and mortgage. He in- 
\ tends to go to work on it. We wish to hear from you soon. 



89 

We are expecting;- to hear had news. I ha\ e Ijcen j^one all day 
\isitii\sj;- the sick, just retnrnetl. Aly t\V() i^irls are attending 
school as Charleston. 'Phey will he there through the fall 
term. Edwin is at home taking care of my farm. Dorcas 
stands here looking oxer my shoulder. She is jjretty well ex- 
cepting a cold. She wishes to see you hut never expects to 
see any of you again. We had a letter from Aaron not long 
since. All well. John Hihhard & family are in Pennsylvania. 
Ai)icl t^- family well. Sold his oxen for $g6. 

Your brother, E. W. Snow. 

LETTER BY E. W. AND DORCAS SNOW. 

The letter hereafter was written nearly t\v(^ years subse- 
quent to the foregoing by E. \V. Snow' and his wife, Dorcas 
Hibbard Snow, to Russ Snow and his wife. Ruth Hihhard 
Snow. It was composed on different days, as a line by the 
Doctor's daughter. Helen (Mrs. Caleb Ford), indicates that 
her father was away, probably visiting patients, when Dorcas 
was writing her part. Tlie contents of the letter and the inter- 
val between it and the one preceding shows the period of time 
that usually elapsed between these Maine and Ohio letters, and 
it is ])robably due to their infrequency and the jealous man- 
ner in which they were prized as a consequence, that we owe 
the careful preservation which enables us to reproduce them 
now. It is interesting but sad to remember that Russ and 
Ruth never saw the Doctor and Dorcas again, after leaving 
Maine, although the ties which bound them had been very 
close. 

25- 
Oct. 30. 

MRS. RUTH SNOW. 

Brecksville, Ohio. 

Atkinson. Sept. 17, 1841. 
Dear Sister Ruth : 

Having an o]>portunity to send you a letter by Mr. Kim- 
ball I improve it to give you a detail of my journey about two 
years ago to New Hampshire. 

W'^e arrived at Bath in four days and a half. Found our 
friends all well except Lydia. She had a babe three days old. 



go 

She calls him E. W. Snow. They have eight children, six 
boys and two girls. Aaron is doing pretty well. David was 
teaching school in Coventry in Mr. Wells' district. We visite^l 
Aunt Tewksbury. She told me how glad she was to see you 
and your children and how bad she felt to think you were go- 
ing away so far. Ellen was married the next spring to a Mr. 
Page cf Landaff. Visted Aunt Mike & Aunt Sic, had very 
good visits. Went to see Brother Wells, had a good visit, liked 
his wife very much. They have three likely boys. Spent one 
evening at ^'Ir. Coxes. They were well and fleshy as ever. 
We went to Uncle Buck's & Aunt Hibbard's. Aunt Buck was 
dead and Uncle has since died. The rest of them were well. 
We arrived at Canada in two days after leaving Bath. Found 
our friends well excepting Uncle Snow. Visited all the Sis- 
ters and Cousins, found them well. Sally was in better cir- 
cumstances than I expected to find her. She lives near neigh- 
bor to Eunice and one mile from Polly, tier oldest girls are 
not with her. Sally works at Stansted. Harriet was wnth 
her Aunt Hall. Marg with her Aunt Catherine and Cather- 
ine worked in Hatly. Mrs. Bowen told me they were very 
smart likely girls. Steplien and Lois were with their mother. 
They are very good children. Almond Cain is married and 
lives in the back part of Haverhill. His sisters were with him. 
I did not see any of them. John Bowen is married, lives two 
miles from his father. Had a son born while we were there. 
The Snow girls all lived where they did fourteen years ago. 
We had a pleasant journey home, found our children well and 
have not heard from Canada since and it is more than a year 
since we have heard from Bath. 

I will tell you something about home affairs in the first 
place. I have one of the kindest husbands that ever lived and 
three good children. Dear sister I often think of your loss. 
Dear Jane, how much I used to think of her after she left. T 
loved her as I did my own. It seemed to me th.e loss was 
more than you could bear. I trust that your loss is her gain. 

We milk three cows this summer. Alake my own butter 
and cheese. Last fall I sent butter to Boston and purchased 
me silk for a dress and six tea spoons. We had upwards 80 
weight of wool. Carried most of it to the factory and changed 
for cloth. I want to see you very much. I wish you lived 
wh.ere I could see you as often as once a week. I often have 
something I want to tell you. Give my love to Aunt Sally. 



91 

Tell her I should be happy to see her in iMaiiic. 1 want to sec 
your children very much. I well recollect how they looked 
when they went away. Charlotte said before she left she was 
going there to get rich and come back and buy her father's 
farm. 1 hope she will. I expect Ma soon to spend the winter 
with us. She is as fond of company as ever and sj^ent last 
week at Air. Walker's. Abiel & family are well and are doing 
well. 1 must leave the other page for husband. 

D. Snow. 
Pa is called away and cannot write. Dear Aunt we all want 
to see you. Helen. 

o 

Sunday morning. 
Dear Brother : 

Dorcas has reserved a part of her sheet for me to fill but 
I have nothing particular to wn-ite. We are getting along much 
the same as we were when you left us. Some of the time I 
enjoy myself pretty well but 1 am subject to depression of 
spirits. Mitchell pays nothing yet. I expect he will take ad- 
vantage of the bankruptcy law. 

The locos have carried this State by thousands. The 
vote completely damped the energy of the Whigs and revived 
the spirits of the locos so that they carried all before them. 
The death of Harrison was an unhappy affair for the Whigs. 
I some expect the locos will have a majority in the House of 
Representatives. 

It has been a pretty dry season here. Many springs and 
w^ells are now dry. Crops have been pretty good this year. 
There is considerable sickness now. Kimball gives us a fa- 
vorable account of you except in one point. He tells me you 
are whiskey drinkers. This is bad business if ever so well 
following. The Washingtonians here are doing wonders. 
Many of the hardest cases are retained. Plym Clark. Walker, 
the Cilleys take nothing that intoxicates. Brotherly love and 
kindness prevails among the Washingtonians. They are do- 
ing much throughout the country to rid it of intemperance. 
They have adopted the right course to reform the inebriate. 
They go to him, treat him as a brother, assist him if he needs 
and show him he is not wholly lost to himself and the world. 
Why not form a AVashingtonian Society in your town. I am 
sensible there is need of it and hope you will undertake it. 
Whiskey drinking is really a filthy business. 



92 

Russ, 1 have pretty much made up my mind that I will 
see you and Henry and your famiHes once more if I Hve and 
prosper four or five years longer. I should have been glad 
to have written to Henry at this time. Tell him I shall ever 
remember his kindness to me and shall write to him a few 
months hence. 

Your Affectionate Brother, E. W. Snow. 

LETTER BY E. W. SNOW. 

The next letter, the last in this series, was written to Russ 
Snow by Dr. E. W. Snow, on the 20th of January, 1843, o^'^^ 
two months after the death of their mother, Elizabeth Payson 
Snow. Russ had received news of her death, however, from 
Henry, who had gone to Maine on a visit and was still there 
when the Doctor wrote. 



Atkinson, Me. 
January 5, 1843. 



MR. RUSS SNOW, 

Brecksville, 

Ohio. 



Atkinson, Jan. 20-1843. 
Dear Brother — 

Our mother died the 15 of November. I should have 
written you before had not Henry written home, and given 
you an account of her death. 

She was very helpless for five or six months before she 
died. There was a sore upon her hip that confined her to her 
bed for a number of weeks, but it healed a few weeks before 
her death. The last week she seemed to have a cold with a 
fever. She was very patient and had her senses to the last. 
The night she died I was sitting up with her alone; she talked 
some during the night, said she had thought she would get over 
her present severe illness, but was now sensible she should 
live but a short time. Mother often repeated hymns. "My 
God, how endless is thy love" and "How long dear Saviour, 
oh how long," were favorite ones with her. She had no de- 
sire to live longer but seemed anxious to be gone. A short 
time before she died, she asked me to raise her up a little more. 
I raised her and immediately found there was an alteration 



93 

in her hrcatliinc;- niul crillcd the family, hut she was not able to 
speak as^aiii. Her amis fell l)y her sides, lier eyes closed, the 
intervals between her breaths became Ioniser and she died 
without a stru.^g'le like one g'oing" to sleep. 

1 had a conifortaljle Chamber for her with a stove in it, 
kc[)t a hired girl through the summer and fall, to lift and wait 
u\K)n her. 

Henry has been here about four months. He started 
this morning with one of my horses and an old pung for 
Woodstock, to be gone a few weeks. When he will return 
to Ohio, I do' not know. He is more attached to these cold 
regions than we expected. We are all well excepting some of 
us have colds. Edwin is teaching" school at Lagrange about 
JO miles from home. He has 15, per month for three months. 
He writes he is getting along well. I expect he will continue 
his studies in the spring and perhaps enter college in the fall. 
The girls have been to school this fall at Foxcroft. They 
are now at home with their ma. I have a few dollars in my 
pocket and little or none in debt. The Millerites are plenty 
about here. Some have not prepared for a crop another year. 

Yours, E. W. Snow. 

P. S. Mr. Hibbard's and Stocker's families are well. We 
have had a very cold December. 



©rioin of 
Some jfainil^ IRames. 



ORIGIN OF SOME FAMILY NAMES. 

There are a number of Christian names that appear 
again and again in successive generations of Benjamin 
Snow's descendants, which have become firmly estabHshed in 
widely separated branches. So many questions have been 
asked at different times by different persons as to their origin 
as family names, even by those who bear or have bestowed 
the same, that it has seemed not only proper, but also almost 
necessary, for a better understanding of the facts, to present 
a slight sketch on the subject. 

One of the first of these names, and one that has been 
bestowed upon sons in several Snow families, is "Holland," 
usually employed in conjunction with "Henry"; and the first 
Snow boy to bear this name was Henry Holland Snuzv, Ben- 
jamin's first-born. There is some uncertainty as to which of 
two women gave this name to the family. One tradition states 
that Benjamin chose the name in honor of Nancy Holland, the 
"sweetheart" of his youth, and the innocent cause of his trou- 
bles when an officer in the Continental Army. The other is to 
the effect that this name has descended from Relief Holland, 
the earliest known ancestress of Elizabeth Payson, who after- 
wards became Benjamin's wife. 

Another of these names, "Tileston," the Christian name 
of Benjamin's second son, in the first instance was the sur- 
name of Blizabcth Tileston, Elizabeth Payson's mother, and 
Benjamin's mother-in-law. 

"Russ," the Christian name of Benjamin's third son, is 
a contraction of Russt, which was the maiden name of Ben- 
jamin's mother, Miriam Russt, who was the Widow Frost at 
the time of her marriage to Henry Snow. 

"Eleazer Wheelock" Snow, Benjamin's fourth son and 
fifth child, was named after Dr. Bleazer Wheelock, who was 
President of Dartmouth College at the time of his attendance 
there. 

Among the girls of "Benjamin's tribe" the name "Louise 
or Louisa" has occurred repeatedly, as have the above-men- 
tioned masculine names, and the majority of those thus called 
liave been named after Benjamin's only daughter, Louise 



98 

(Snoxv) Stocker, the wife of Amos Stocker. The Christian 
name "Elizabeth" comes from "BHzabeth Payson" Snow, and 
her mother, Blicabcth Tilcston. Reference to Elizabeth Pay- 
son at once suggests the origin of the masculine "Payson." 

The names "Charlotte" and "Jane" were bestowed upon 
two of the daughters of Nehemiah Snow, Benjamin's brother, 
and in this way these came into existence, as far as the fam- 
ily is concerned. 

The name "Owen" in the first instance was the surname 
of a carpenter, a Mr. Oiv.en, who was employed by the first 
Russ Snow at the time of the building of his home in At- 
kinson, Maine. Russ conceived a great liking for this Mr. 
Owen, and gave the artisan's name to his first son, who was 
born during the erection of the house. 

The "Ruths" of the family are named after Ruth Hib- 
bard, the wife of the first Russ Snow, and those chistened 
"Dorcas" point back to Dorcas Hibbard, sister of Ruth and 
wife of Dr. E. W. Snow ; and mention of these two Hibbard 
women indicates the beginning of the masculine "Hibbard." 

"Albion Kief Paris" Snow, one of Tileston Snow's sons, 
was named after a famous governor of Maine by that name, 
and the masculine "Milton" is derived from a town in Maine, 
so-called. 

There have been a goodly number of girls named 
"Amanda" in recent generations of the family. The ma- 
jority of these have been so described in honor of Amanda P. 
Snow, daughter of Dr. E. W. Snow, whose son "Edwin" was 
the first of the Snow boys of that name, as his daughter 
"Helen" was the first of the girls. 

There are doubtless other similarly used names that will 
occur to the minds of different persons interested in them and 
those recalled are principally mentioned for the sake of sug- 
gestion, but their recurrence has been so frequent as to make 
them' common and well known in the family, and for this rea- 
son they have been specially catalogued, although a perusal 
of the text will disclose their origin to a considerable extent. 



Mentie Mollanb Snow- 



1 784- 1 854. 





"^ '^^Jt^^^.uJ^ 



HENRY HOLLAND SNOW 

and his first wife, 

Sarah Jameson 

(Married 1808) 



Son (died in infancy) 

Son ( died in fancy) 

Gkorge Snow 
(1811-1832). 

Louise A. Snow 
(1813-1907). married L. V. 
^^'illett in 1843. 

Alexander J. Snow 
(1815-1884), married Char- 
lotte Louise Snow in 
1839. 

E. Payson Snow 
(1816-1884). married Jane 
Dayton in 1847. 

Wheelock Snow 
(1819-1821) 

Harriett C. Snow 
(1822-1892). married 
Charles Siefert in 1849. 

Angeline D. Snow 
(1825-1856), married Dr. 

Nathan Stephenson in 

1851. 

Selina L. Snow 
(1826-1871) 

Augusta Snow 
(1828- 1 864), married Dr. 
Aug-ustus Knowlton. 

Wm. Sullivan Snow 
(1829-1898), married Har- 
riet Dwight in 1852, Ella 
Sheridan. 1893. 

Charles Snow 
(?-i838) 

Chas. Carroll Snow 
(1838-1845) 



\ 



HENRY HOLLAND SNOW 

and his second wife, 

Lovinthy Meekins (widow) 

(Married 1851) 



Victory Snow 

(1851-?) 

Daughter (died in infancy) 

(T853-?) 

Daughter (died in infancy) 
(1855-?) 



HENRY HOLLAND SNOW. 

1 784- 1 854. 

Henry Holland Snow, Benjamin's oldest child, was born 
;it St. Johns, Nova Scotia. April 16, 1784. and died at 
Brecksville, Ohio, in October. 1854. The story of his life 
is best told in the words of his j^randson, Corwin R. Snow, 
whose recitals are uniformly rich, not only in interesting- 
facts and anecdotes, but also in statistical details. Before pro- 
ceeding- to relate it. however, we wish to digress sufficiently 
to say that in the sketches of others of Benjamin's children 
and descendants there is not in every instance such fullness 
of reminiscence as we enjoy in Corwin's narrations, and con- 
sequently the reader's attention is directed to the purely sta- 
tistical pages for such facts as births and deaths, and he is 
nsked to look to the sketches for personal matters. 

Corwin says of his first grandfather Snow : "Henry was 
3 or 4 years of age when taken from Nova Scotia to Ply- 
mouth. N. H.. 14 when taken to Bath. N. H. (1798). and 
2T in 1805 when soon after, he went to Atkinson, Maine. He 
married Sarah Jameson there in 1808. stayed there until 1820. 
and then removed to Levant, Maine, a distance of 25 miles. 
It was there that he engaged in hotel-keeping. Between 1822 
and 25. he made an extended trip to the West and during 
this time 'laid out' Ann Arbor, Michigan. Next, at the age 
of 52 years, with his wife and children, in 1836, a year later 
than Russ. he removed to land they had purchased in com- 
pany ill Brecksville. Twp., Ohio, about 1000 miles west 
nnd 100 miles south of the old home- in Me., and arrived 
in the month of November. 

"In making this removal the family was divided. Henry 
and his son Payson, then 20 years of age. went by waterways 
from Bangor to Cleveland with the goods, and Alexander 
(Corwin's father), who was then 21 years of age. drove a fine 
team and carriage or coach of the thorough-brace, rocking 
spring description, overland, with the balance of the family, 
consisting of the mother, then 43 years of age. Louisa A. 23. 
FTarriet t6. Angeline 14. Selina 11. Augusta g. Sullivan 8. 
and Charles Carroll 6. All went well with them until thev 



io6 

reached Utica, N. Y., where wet weather caused heavy roads, 
wherefore ah took passage at Utica by canal to Buffalo, excep- 
ing that, as the carriage was too tall to pass under bridges, on 
board canal-boat, Alexander drove on with that alone. 

"While waiting at a hotel in Buffalo for the arrival of 
the carriage, the landlord called the attention of his guests 
to his team of horses, calling them the finest in Buffalo. This 
caused Louisa A. to say, 'Just wait, till my brother gets here 
with Old Rob and his mate!' And later when she saw the 
carriage coming, the team in high spirits and under the crack 
of the whip, she called the landlord to admit that his span was 
outdone. All then took steamboat for Cleveland and from 
there drove to Independence, and there stopped until Alex- 
ander should ride one of the horses on through to the home 
of Russ. Russ accompanied him back, taking a wagon. The 
carriage was then driven as far as to the home of Hugh 
Stephenson and left there, for the forest was yet too dense 
for it to go further. A year passed before it was driven to 
its destination. 

"This family of eleven persons, now, in November, made 
their home in a log house i6 feet square. As soon as possi- 
ble an addition was made of frame character instead of logs." 

In another place Corwin says : "I happened along in 
time to have good remembrance of these log-house homes, 
their early inmates and their surroundings — the creaking door 
and latch-string, the andiron and back log, the cake board 
and ladder stairs ; the oven, the bake-kettle, the tongs, pot- 
hooks and long-handled shovel ; the candle-stick, snuffers and 
dip-stick; the axe, mall, wedge and shaving-horse; the scythe, 
cradle and flail, and the two-tined fork; the linch-pin, tar- 
bucket and log-chain ; the ox-yoke, sled-shoe and stone-boat ; 
the clearing, the girdling, the slashing, the woods; the gully, 
the brook, the deer-lick, the spring; the omnipresent stone, 
bush, log and stump. Nor have I forgotten the reel, the spin- 
ning wheel, the goose-quill and the ram's-horn, the thimble, 
the knitting needle and skein-thread. 

"These memories are intensified by long acquaintance 
with the vv^ild and the tamed prairies of Illinois and Iowa, and 
a call to narrate of those who then made me happy." 




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In speakint^- of Henry's mental and j^hysical character- 
istics, Corwin writes : "Henry Holland Snow, first child of 
Benjamin Snow and Elizabeth Payscui, was in ap[)earance 
tall and spare. He had black hair, and black eyes, the gaze (>i 
which was piercing. Physically, he was a very strong and 
liealthy riian ; in disposition kind .and generous, yet high-tem- 
pered. Intellectually, he was keen and farseeing. He was of 
pleasing address, had a wonderful command of language and 
was captivating in conversation. 

"His childhood was spent in Nova Scotia and Plymouth, 
N. H., his youth at Bath, N. H., his early manhood at At- 
kinson, Maine. He married Sarah Jameson, whose father 
was Irish and whose mother was Scotch, her maiden name 
Blackington. Sarah Jameson was a small, spare woman, had 
light brown hair and blue eyes, and fair complexion — was in- 
deed a fair maiden. She was sprightly, vivacious, light- 
hearted, patient and industrious, and had great power of en- 
durance. She was ever ready with a helping hand. Her in- 
terest in ihe welfare of others was like and equal to that for 
her o\\!i family. With these qualities, she was highly gifted 
in intellectuality. She was a relative of the renowned David 
Crocket of xA.lamo fame. 

''These people saw the values and advantages awaiting 
the pioneer and his family in the great West. The Erie canal 
had been in operation about eight years. The Ohio canal had 
reached Akron from Cleveland in 1832, and the town of Chi- 
cago had organized in 1833. Henry planned with his brother 
Russ and their brother-in-law, Amos Stocker to build new 
liomes as far west as Indiana. Russ, having the greater prop- 
erty, went out to select a location for all. Circumstances 
caused liim to choose Brecksville, Ohio. Russ left Alaine with 
about $4000.00 and Henry had alx)ut $3000.00. 

"Here, Henry and Sarah, Russ and Ruth. Amos and 
Louisa, hewed out homes for themselves and their children, 
nineteen in number. Henry and Sarah took ten into a log 
cabin 16 feet square. Here these six pioneers, as farmers, 
nursery-men. and masons, wound out their careers. Henry 
h.ad wished to go further to Indiana. His son Alexander did 
go soon to Chicago, and while there worked as a carpenter 
on McVickar's theater. Henry advised the young man b}' 
letter to buy. as soon as he could collect Fifty Dollars in gold. 



io8 

40 acres of the goA^ernment as near that town as possible, keep 
on at work to buy more 40ties until his wages would not pay 
his taxes, then sell out and go on buying as before. 

"Henry Holland Snow's death was caused by dysentery, 
thought to have been induced by the fatigue of fighting a field 
fire which he himself had set out in a time of severe drought 
and in opposition to the advice of his neighbors. He thought 
lie could control it, and failed." 

Unfortunately, no letters or papers in the handwriting 
of the first Henry Holland Snow, or "Uncle Henry" as he was 
generally called in the family to distinguish him from "Uncle 
Russ," "Uncle Tileston" and "Uncle Doctor," have been pre- 
served, with the single exception possibly of a deed of land to 
his brother Russ, executed June 26, 1822. This deed reads 
ris follows : 

(dked, hknry h, snow to russ snow.) 
June 26, 1822. 
Know all men by these presents That I, Henry H. Snow of 
Atkinson in the County of Penobscot and State of Maine, Es- 
quire 

In consideration of four hundred Dollars, paid by Russ 
Snow of Atkinson, county and State aforesaid. Gentleman 
(the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge) do hereby 
give, grant, sell and convey unto the said Russ Snow, his 
heirs and assigns forever, the following lot of land situated in 
said Atkinson Viz. Lot numbered twelve in the eighth range 
of lots in said Atkinson agreeable to a survey made by Andrew 
Strong Esqr. 

To have and To hold the same to the said Russ Snow, 
liis heirs and assigns, to his and their use and benefit for- 
ever, 

And I do covenant with the said Russ Snow his heirs and 
assigns That I am lawfully seized in fee of the premises — 
That they are free of all incumbrances — ^That I have good 
right to sell and convey the same to the said Russ Snow in 
manner aforesaid and that I will warrant and defend the 
same to the said Russ Snow, his heirs and assigns forever, 
against the lawful claims of all persons. 

In witness whereof I the said Henry H. Snow have here- 
unto set my hand and seal this twenty-sixth day of June in 




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the year or our Lord one thousand eig"ht-hnn(h-ed and twen- 
ty-two 

Signed, Sealed and dehvered Hknrv 11. Snow. 

in presence of (Seal) 

E. W. Snow 
Tileston Snow 
Penobscot, ss. June 29, 1822. Personally appeared the 
within named Henry H. Snow and acknowledged the within 
instrument to be his free act and deed 

before me Samuel C. Clark. Justice Peace. 

******* 

REMINISCENCES OF EARLY "SNOWVILLE." 

The road in Brecksville Township, Ohio, where Russ and 
Henry Snow purchased and settled after moving from 
Maine has ever since their location upon it, been known as 
the "Snow^ Road," and the neighborhood around the 430 
acres which they originally cleared has been known by the 
name of "Snowville," not officially, of course, but so to all 
the many descendants of these two men. The neighborhood 
is rich in memories of "Uncle Henry" and "Uncle Russ," and 
"the Stockers," and many Snows in other States find their 
earliest recollections centered there, around the "Brick House" 
which "Uncle Russ" built and where Owen and Holland grew 
up, and around the spot wdiere "Uncle Henry" had his first 
Ohio home, long known as "Uncle Alec's place." in deference 
to his son, Alexander. 

Corw^in has given us some memories of this neighbcjr- 
hood. too. which ought not to be omitted. He says, in speak- 
ing of the early days : 

"Wheat w^as carried to mill by a path through the w^oods, 
reaching a trail made by 'Mad Anthony' Wayne in his cam- 
paigns against the Indians which gave peace to the frontier 
settlements. 

"The first school in the Snow District was taught by 
Louisa A. (Henry's oldest daughter) in the newly raised 
barn of Russ. Later a log school house was raised opposite 
the barn, across the road and gully where now stands a grove 
of white pines, which trees were collected about 1845 ^rom 
neighboring woods. Here Alexander taught the school three 



no 

successive winters. While Alexander taught here, the next 
school on one side was taught by Andrew Freese, and the next 
on the other side was taught by Mr. Frost. 

"Andrew Freese. the eminent educater (one of the first 
Superintendents of the Public Schools of Cleveland) studied 
the old Elementary Spelling Book at the home of his friends 
Alexander and Charlotte Snow, preparatory to entering the 
schools of Cleveland in 1840. 

"About 1837 Charlotte Snow taught the school in the 
Hurlbut district a winter term of 4 months, at a gain of One 
Dollar per week. During this time her father, Russ Snow, 
using the main room of the log-house home for a work-shop, 
made scythe and cradle, snathes and frames, and in the spring 
he borrowed the $16. his daughter had earned, to iron these 
to be ready for the market. Thus he secured money with 
which to pay taxes. 

"H. Holland Snow (Russ' second son) also taught the 
school in the Hurlbut District." 



Ill 

HENRY HOLLAND SNOW'S CHILDREN. 

The majority of the sketches of Henry Holland Snow's 
children, which appear herein, were written by Corwin R. 
Snow. Those not written by him are from the hand of his 
sister. Mrs. K. F. Barnes, of Cedar Rapids. Iowa. Henry's 
children, in the section of this book devoted to him, will be 
fonnd indicated by black type Roman numerals and their 
children by Arabic numerals. The sketches are presented here 
in the order of the birth of the children, seventeen in number. 
The first two died in infancy and the next was George. Cor- 
win writes of him. and also of Louisa A., Harriet, Angelina. 
Selina, Wm. Sullivan and Augusta. 



HL ^ 

GEORGE SNOW. 

1811-1832. 
(Third child of Henry H. Snow.) 

"I might next speak of George Snow, son of Henry H.. 
grandson of Benjamin. In stature he was above medium, he 
had black hair, light complexion and large blue eyes. The 
sum of his qualities of manhood was such as to cause him to 
be spoken of as 'one of the best of young men.' His death at 
the age of 21 years, was caused by his going into the water 
of the Piscataquis River, Maine, to save some logs at the time 
of a freshet. A cold was contracted which killed him. One 
of his attainments was that of playing the clarinet. The in- 
strument he used was kept and used by his brother Alexander 
until 1846, when it v^'as turned over to his brother Sullivan, at 
Avhose death it returned to Alexander's family and is in the 
possession of his son Corwin and still in good form in 1907. 
Sullivan played well. 

"George was born August 14th, 181 1. at Atkinson. 
Maine, and died in 1832 at Levant, Maine." 

Corwin R. Snow. 



112 



IV. 



LOUISA A, SNOW. 

i8i3-i907. 

(Fourth child of Henry H. Snow.) 

"Louisa A. Snow, granddaughter of Benjamin Snow, 
grew to a stature above the average, and was given a sHm 
and wiry frame, and constitution capable of great en- 
durance. Like her father, she was given dark complexion, 
black hair and lustrous dark brown eyes. Her career has ex- 
hibited great strength of individual traits of character. Her 
wish to do for others, forgetting herself, has been a leading 
characteristic, causing her to expend much of her energy in 
teaching', which she began early and continued late in her long 
life. This work was done in the cities of Norwalk and Cleve- 
land, Ohio, Madison, Wisconsin, and Alton, Illinois, 

"Her marriage to Louis Vimont Willett of Kentucky, a 
widower, was of a romantic character, the acquaintance 
springing up from a correspondence between Post Offices, a 
courtship entirely by letter vv'riting, ripening to a betrothal. 
The time set for the wedding was the time of the first meet- 
ing. The happiness of this marriage was soon broken by the 
death of Mr. Willett. Mrs. Willett refused all offers for a 
second marriage. 

"After a time she adopted the infant son of a friend, 
reared, trained and educated him for the ministry. In Cali- 
fornia, she cared for her invalid sister during the closing days 
of the sister's life and then moved later to a mountain home at 
Alpine, Cal. From this place she attended a reunion of the 
Snow families at the homes of Owen P. and H. Holland Snow, 
in Brecksville, Ohio, September, 1884, and another such re- 
union at the homes of E. W. Stocker and Corwin R. Snow, 
Sr.. near Keystone, Iowa, in September, 1886. Later, in 
1893, she visited in Illinois and attended the World's Fair. 
Cliicago. 

"Mrs. Willett established a Sunday School at Alpine 
and became very much interested in the work, for she had 
long been a very devout and orthodox Christian." 

Corwin R. Snow. 




To face page 112. 

LOCISA (SXOW) WILLETT. 



113 

.Mrs. W illett was born February 13. 1813, at Atkinson. 
Alaine. She \^■as married April 12. 1843. ^"^^ ^^^^^ on Mar. 
.2, 1907, in her Q4th year. As we have ah-eady noted in an- 
other ])hice, Mrs. W'illett was the oldest one of Henry Snow's 
chil(h-cn ihat grew to maturity (her brother George dying at 
llie age of j i ) and she Hved a good many years after the 
deaths of all her brothers and sisters, being practically the first 
and actually the last of this large family. ^ 

GARDNER C. TUCKER. 
(Louise A. (Snow) Willett's Adopted Son.) 
Gardner C. Tucker, son of Levi and Jennie Tucker, 
was born at Boston, about the year 1847. His father 
was pastor of the Baptist church at that place. Aunt Louise 
was at the home of his parents when Gardner was born. He 
was 21 days old wdien his mother died. Before she died she 
asked Louise to take her baby, the father joining in the re- 
quest. Mr. Tucker lived but two years after the death of 
his wife. Louise educated Gardner in the schools in wdiich 
she taught. About 20 years were spent at Upper Alton, 111. 
She sent him to Shurtlefif College at Alton. He began preach- 
ing in the Baptist church in Mississippi when about 22 years 
old. He was married before he was twenty, and is the father 
of eight cliildren. He lives at I*.lobile. Alabama, where he is 
pastor of the St. John's Episcopal church. He has three sons 
who are also ministers. 

Louise A. (Snow) Willett. 
(IVrilfcn in January, 1907. before her death.) 

At the date of the writing hereof, the onlv one of Henrv 
Holland Snow-'s children living is Louise A. TSnow) Willett. 
of Alpine. California, wdio on February 13, 1907. will be 94 
years old. Her long life is remarkable not only for her strong 
character, fine intellect and unusual achievements, but also for 
the fact that, although one of the oldest children in her father's 
family — indeed the oldest of those wdio reached maturity — 
she has outlived all the others, and lived, too, to wield an in- 
fluence far greater and more widespread than is usually ac- 
corded to one woman. 

The writer remembers her well as she appeared in her 
eightieth year, when alone and unattended, she journeyed from 
Southern California to distant Maine, visiting Snows all along 



ii4 

the way — some of them as far north as Minnesota — and en- 
joying the sights of the great Columbian Exposition at Chi- 
cago, where she moved fearlessly amid the confusing crowds 
and through the labyrinths of buildings, entirely undismayed 
and undisturbed by the tumult of the great city and the great 
"show" — rather an unusual achievement for an old lady of 
eighty years. 

It was difficult to believe that such was really her age, for 
she looked many years younger. Her figure was erect and 
straight, her step firm and brisk, her hair black, her eyes alive 
and keen, her manner quick and lively and her interest in 
everything she saw, as bright, alert and unflagging as that of 
a young woman. It did one's heart good to see a person in 
the sunset years of life so capable of enjoying the pleasures of 
life, and so free from the decrepitude of advancing years. One 
could not withhold his admiration for Mrs. Willett as she then 
appeared or feel anything but the most profound respect for 
her vigorous personality. Although but a boy of thirteen 
years at the time, I was not too young to be unaffected by the 
force of her cliaracter, and notwithstanding I have since heard 
many people speak of her with mingled admiration, affection 
and veneration, my impression of her would still have been as 
vivid and lasting, had I never heard them speak. 

O. N. W. 

The following sketch from the Cleveland Leader, written 
durincf one of Mrs. Willett's visits in Cleveland late in life, 
gives a full and fairly accurate resume of her life, and should 
prove of interest to many who knew Mrs. Willett as well as to 
those who did not : 

The Sunset oe Life. 



Hozv an Aged Woman Who Was Once a Popular Teacher in 
Cleveland is Living in California — Many Old 
Residents Remember Her. 
To the Editor of the Leader. 

On a fine ranch beautifully located on the highest point 
of this region, lives an old lady. Mrs. L. A. Willett, whose in- 
terests were closely identified with those of Cleveland in its 
early history, and who still lives in the hearts of many of its 
residents. Her old friends will remember her better as Miss 



515 

Snow, wlio taii<;-lit school there along- in the "follies," although 
occasional letters, which reach her in her mountain home, tes- 
tifying to the inlluence which her sterling principles and ear- 
nest Christian character have had on their lives, show that 
some of her early pupils and associates have not lost sight of 
her. 

Airs. Willett was \yorn m the State of Maine. She 
has witnessed many epochs in the history of her native land — - 
war, progress and development. In i<S36 her father brought 
h.is family from Maine to Ohio, by private conveyance, and 
she relates many experiences of the trip as though they occur- 
red but yesterday. They were told that they would see "the 
railroad" at Albany, and they left the carriage and walked 
through a dense growth of timber to get their first view of a 
locomotive. The journey occupied about four weeks. 

They drove through Cleveland village in fine style, but 
had to drop their feathers when they found it was impossible 
to drive a carriage through to Brecksville on account of so 
much uncleared country. 

Sh.ortly after her father settled in Brecksville a log school 
house was put up and Miss Snow placed in charge. Her serv- 
ices were soon sought by the people of Hudson and Cleveland. 
Her first work in the latter place was done in the Old Acad- 
emy on St. Clair street, when Dr. Tucker and Mr. Belden were 
directors. Through her influence Andrew Freese, formerly 
her pupil in Maine, was induced to come to Cleveland and 
taught in the Rockwell building, becoming afterwards superin- 
tendent. Mr. Freese still takes a keen interest in the school 
work of Cleveland and recently wrote Mrs. Willett that he 
had visited eight hundred schools during the past year. 

A brief and very happy married life was spent in Ken- 
tucky, where she met many distinguished men, notably Henry 
Clay, who expressed to her, personally, his views on the ques- 
tions of slavery and abolition. She afterwards returned to 
Ohio and taught in Norwalk College, of which Dr. Hall was 
then president. 

The intense interest she aroused in her astronomy and 
botany classes led to a petition from the boys that she teach 
them in those branches. This being out of the question, as 
her time was fully occupied, the trustees granted the unprece- 
dented privilege to the boys of reciting with the girls — co- 



lib' 

srdiication in its incipiency. Leaving Norwalk, Mrs. WilletH 
taught in Madison, Wis., and Alton, III, private schools until 
at the age of s€venty-two, she came to California to renew her 
youth. 

She took up a homestead claim of i6o acres in .\lpine, on 
a site commanding a grand and sweeping outlook oi moun- 
tain and sea. !\Iuch of the work of cultivating her land she 
has superintended herself, doing much of the hard work with 
her own hands, and today she has a pleasant cottage sur- 
rounded by graceful pepper, acacia and other shade trees, many 
acres of land under cultivation, and annually has a tine yield of 
grapes for raisins, which she prepares for market herself. 
Many hundred pounds have found their way to Cleveland 
friends in remembrance of "ye olden times." Her influence 
here is a strong one in the neighborhood. She established a 
vSunday school in the little school house and maintained it her- 
self for some time, until its numbers grew and others began 
to take interest. Her life is si)ent in working for others and 
she is always cheery, philosophical, and patient, feeling that 
when the Father considers her work done. He will take her 
home. She has named the peak east of her house Mt. Pisgah, 
and when her earthly life is o'er, she wishes to be laid tO' rest 
there in view of the promised land. 

I must not neglect to mention that Mrs. Willett, at the 
age of eighty, visited the World's Fair and traveled across 
the continent to Maine alone. The trip was full of interest 
to her. She visited all the cities and towns in which she had 
lived and taught, renewed acquaintances with old friends, 
and thoroughly enjoyed the fair, returning with renewed vigor 
and food for pleasant thought and reflection for the rest of her 
.life. 

A word about Alpine. It is situated about thirty miles 
from the coast and is called "the haven for invalids." It is at 
Alpine Center that T. B. Arnold, the millionaire importer from 
New York, has settled. He considers it unsurpassed in scen- 
ery and climate. 

Elizabeth Graham. 
Alpine, San Diego county, Cal., December 15. 



117 



LETTERS BY LOUISE SNOW WILLETT. 

It has seemed fitting to print some of Airs. Willett's let- 
ters after this sketch of her Hfe, for they have more of the hu- 
man and ixirsonal element in them and illumine her character. 
Pour of them are presented here, one written when she was 
eighty-seven years old, two when she was eighty-eight and 
one when ninety. .Although they are rather ])athetic in tone, 
they are beautiful in expression and are full of that sweet con- 
tent and resignation which only comes to those whose lives 
Iiavc been good and useful and blameless. They breathe forth, 
too, some of that calm, resolute courage which has made her 
long life remarkable, and evince a firm, abiding faith that all 
is well in the world and hereafter, wdnich is truly inspiring to 
behold. We have a splendid example in this woman of the 
Snow family. 

***** 

Alpine, Dec. 1900. 

it/y dear May. 

I've been thinking of you all in Cleveland and Brecks- 
ville and hoping tliat my dim eyes, and weak and clumsy 
hands will be able to w^rite after a while, but the longer I wait 
the worse they become. I can see the lines on the paper this 
evening, so I will try to say a little to both families through 
you. Give thanks to Mrs. Bartlett for the invite to the celebra- 
tion at Owen's. How much I should have enjoyed being 
there at that gathering of the Snows, but I am too near the 
end of the earthly visits, and am almost homesick to go to 
the gathering of the dear ones in the bright beyond. This 
little world is pleasant and beautiful for us to enjoy, but when 
we have finished our course here we enjoy looking forward 
to the higher. I don't expect to remain here much longer. I 
am near my 88th birthday. My health is good enough, but the 
"weakness of age" is fast increasing, and I am rather useless. 
Just now I am alone most of the time. I have one of the fin- 
est locations for a sanitarium on the coast ; have had invalids 
with me much of the time, and my neighbors all have to take 
boarders or have cottages to rent, so many come to Alpine for 
health. I don't want to sell my home and go to live somewhere 
else. I want somebodv that I love to come and live with me. 



11^ 

Now I tell yoti what I've been desiring to say to you. If 
you and Minabel will come and commence a sanitarium, I wil! 
give you a deed of my place, on condition that you take care 
of me the remainder of my iittle life. The question is, would 
you both like to visit a little remnant of a Snow tribe, would 
you like to see California, and the Pacific coast? Can't you 
both come and see me very soon, then you can decide whether 
)'ou can accept my proposition. Milton is past his prime; his 
family are quite well. Will Stephenson and family are very 
well. May I Iiear from you soon? With kind remembrance 
to mother, sister and brother and their families. Lovingly, 

L. A. WiLLETT. 

P. S. — Where is the brave little Doctor Minabel living- 
How? My love to her. 

* * H-- * * 

A1.PINE, Jan. 4, 1901. 

Miss Minabel Snow. 

Dear Niece: — I rec'd your note and the blanks in due 
time, and will do what I can towards filling them out. I have 
helped Will Stephenson to fill his, but my memory is leaving 
me, and I have kept no records. Mother kept our family 
births in a Bible but Will thinks he never saw it. I presume 
his mother had it. I have sent Harriet's blank to George and 
asked him to do all he can, and send it back to me to finish. 
I will remember what I can of Selina and Augusta. 

I wrote to May some time ago and directed to Olive Street. 
Cleveland. If she has not got it, I think if she will go to the 
P. O. and inquire for Miss May Snow, Olive St., she will find 
it. I wrote this to her or like it : 

If you and Minabel will come here and spend the winter 
with me, and see what a fine location I have for a sanitarium, I 
will give you a deed of my place, on condition that I may stay 
with you while I live. Then you may sell it and live east if 
you choose. I had a lady come up to live last fall, but the Dr. 
found that the altitude was too high for her heart and sent 
her back to San Diego. Another wants to come, but I want 
to hear from you before I make any arrangements, so will 
you please let me know soon whether you have any idea of 



TI9 

irying Califorai:;. Tlic Soiillicni route, by ^'una. is very 

nleasniit in winter. 

i can't write more tonig-ht. 

With my 

(icartief'^t remembrance to all the Snows. 

h. A. WlIXETT. 
* * * i\- * 

Alpine, Oct. 1901. 

Miss May Snozv. 

A'ly dear Niece. 

I've just enjoyed reading again ycnu" interesting letter of 
last winter, and am going to try to write a little. I make 
slow and clumsy work of it. 

Just after the centennial in Cleveland a lady wrote me 
saying they v\'erc getting up a history of the pioneers and 
wanted mc to send them a sketch of my life. I did so. hut 
have not a copy of it. There may be some items in that to 
suit Minabel. Do you knov/ any of those ladies, and whether 
they have p-.iblished their history? They may have my sketcli 
in their files, but I can't write now. I've been hoping my hand 
would improve acrain but it don't. I can't write or sew, so I 
must give up all my fine work until I become young again. 
I would like to help with that history, but if you could see my 
clumsy fist holding this pencil you would think as I do, but I 
am going home and it's all the best that I go by degrees. 
I love to think of the big Snow family just as I have seen 
them and pray that T may meet them all in the bright, happy 
beyond. T.et us all live in faith, and love, and trust, and sure 
hope. 

We are having a nice little summer after a cool season ; 
our fruit is drving fast. Will Stenhenson is to move to his 
home soon. ■Milton's folks all well. ]\Iy health good, and 
with loving- remembrance, 

L. A. WlLLETT 

:)j: 4"- ^ A' ^' 

(Very Feeble IJandzvriting.) 

Alpine. March. 1903. Friday. 
Dear May. 

Your good letter came in due time, but T can't write. T 



120 

nm about like your Uncle Owen. A short time before my 90th 
birthday I had a stroke of paralysis, and am not able to talk, 
or walk or eat. but very clumsily, and as I don't hear com- 
mon conversation. I am living a lonely life. Edwin Snow and 
family are with me, and they call me to meals, but I can't hear 
their conversation, so I eat in silence clumsily. But I am go- 
ing on just as fast, and hope my Saviour will come before 
long and take me to the home He has promised all who love 
and obey Him. There I shall meet the many dear ones who 
have gone before me. What happy meetings! What peaceful 
living, free from sin and sorrow. 

Your letter was so comforting. I enjoy hearing from all 
the friends. Tell Uncle Owen I sympathize with him. With 
kind, loving wishes to all the branches and buds. I wish you 
could take your next trip out here. 

L. A. WiLLKTT. 

Alpine. Sat. 
May. 

I sprawled a few lines yesterday. Don't know whether 
you can read it. Edwin has just come in from San Diego; 
has secured the care of the next store in Alpine ; is quite happy 
and Abbie, too. I am glad for them, for he is not strong- 
enough for farming. Their little wee babe is fine and fat. 
Edwin rides to his store 3 miles in the morning, gets home 
about seven 30. 

Tell mother and all the rest I shall know you all on the 
other side with joy. LouiSE. 




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121 



V. 



ALEXANDER JAMESON SNOW. 

1815-1884. 

(Fifth child of llcnry 11. Snow.) 

Alexander Jameson Snow was born at Atkinson, Maine. 

January 22. 1815, and dnriiio- Ids life of nearly three .score 

and ten year.?, he lived in many different places in different 

States of the L'nion, a schedule of which is as follows: 

Moved to L'recksville. Ohio, in the fall of 1835 

Married to Charlotte Louise Snow, at Royalton, O., 

Jan- 5 1839 

.Moved in new house, summer of 1840 

to Boston. Ohio, spring of 1846 

'* Og-le County, Illinois, in November 1846 

" Belvedere. Illinois 1848 

" '' Back to Brecksville. Ohio 1849 

Dixon, on banks of Rock Ri\-er, Illinois.. 1850 

new house at Dixon, Illinois 1851 

" Elkhorn Grove, Illinois ^853 

" Fair Haven, Illinois 1854 

" " Richfield, Ohio 1855 

" Farnum House, Richfield, Ohio 1856 

" Brecksville. Ohio 1858 

" new house there 1864 

'' " Brecksville Center 1873 

" Rudger's House. Brecksville 1870 

" new house there 1880 

" Lanark, Illinois 1883 

" " Eby s Hill. April 8th 1884 

where he died on August 2nd 1884 

"Alexander Jameson Snow w^as nearly six feet tall, had 
brov.-n hair, blue eyes and fine features. He was active and 
quick to grasp and solve the most difficult problems ; a man to 
whom people went when in trouble. He not only gave them 
good advice, but worked without price for their interests. He 
was slow to anger and liad a large amount of self control. It 
was said that 'Alex Snow could be the maddest man and not 
show it, of any man in the county.' He was ever ready to 
help and slow to take offense, and rarely said anything against 
anyone. 



122 

"He was a great reader, not only of history, but also of 
poetry. 

"He was quick to see and ready to act for the best in 
any emergency. He could adapt hin^self to any and all cir- 
cumstances, sell goods over a counter, run an engine, build a 
liouse. shoe a horse, or manage a farm, and he would have 
made a first-class lawyer. He was always hopeful and cour- 
ageous, cjuick to decide on all subjects, and while working 
for the present good, for himself and family, he was planning 
for the future, working for the best interests of his children, 
handing each one a deed of a farm as they left the parental 
liome. He liad a host of friends, and is kindly remembered 
by his children, as a man far above the average." 

Katk F. Barnes. 

LETTER BY ALEXANDER AND CHARLOTTE SNOW. 
The following letter is a combination epistle, written by 
Alexander Snow and his wife, Charlotte, to Alexander's sis- 
ter, Louise A. Willett, sent from the post-office at Daysville. 
Illinois, and posted on the 27th of March, 1847. This letter 
was returned to Charlotte Snow by Mrs. Willett at the time 
of one of the Snow reunions, and by Charlotte it was given 
to her son Corwin. 

MRS. LOUISA A. WILLETT 

Parris 
(Daysville 111) Ky. 

March 27 

Sunday Evening, March (1847) 
Mrs. L. A. Willett 

Dear Sister Many thanks for your kind letter, and ten- 
der enquiries. We enjoy the beautiful scenery around us 
very much, but it is rather the care of a large family which 
prevents my corresponding with friends so much as I could 
wish. Corwin suffered greatly with the burn on his neck. I 
was setting away some hot lard, and we accidentally came in 
contact. One ear, and two thirds of the way round his neck 
was burned dreadfully. I dressed the burn immediately with 
cotton batting and Caster Oil and then sent for a physician, 
and for Alexander who was at Rockford. Dr. Potter ap- 
proved of the Cotton and Oil and did not have it taken off for 
two days. He then had slippery elm poultices applied. We 




y. 



Q 

< 




■f. 



C ■+ 
in bo 









T23 

^ept t'lKin on nearly 3 weeks. The burn produced a iever, 
nnd we despaired of his life for many days. I never was so 
miserable in my life — but thank Hca\-en — he has recovered. 
The Dr. said he had known many less burns destroy life, but 
said he. speaking to me, ''you were determined lie should gel 
well."' i said somethinf,^ about my carelessness.' He said, 
'"The good care had more than redeemed the carelessness." 

The children were delighted with their papers. Louisa 
Willett is ^•ery chubby and rosy-cheeked. I made her a very 
j>retty coat of tlie cloth you sent her — a thousand thanks for 
It. Il ;iny one asks Louis V. who he is, he replies "'O' dudge 
of crobate." 

Our journey here was delightful. We took passage on 
l>oard tlie Wiskonsan and were eleven days on the lakes. 
Louis attracted a great deal of attention on board the boat. 
One English lady, very aristocratic in her manners, said there 
was not another child on board that she w'anted to touch. An- 
other, a merchant's wife at Rockford, said her heart went 
nut towards him from the first moment that she saw him, and 
she C'Uild not think of parting with him. The exclusives 
called him "Our baby," but I forget that I am praising one 
of my own children — excuse me. 

We see Payson quite often, and his first saluation al- 
wa3'S is, "Well, this is a great country." 

May we not have the pleasure of seeing you here in the 
course of the summer? You shall have a room by yourself, 
T have just finished the new carpet, a very pretty one too. a 
carriage at your command, and true fond hearts to welcome 
you. Do come. Alexander is a very good boy and kinder 
than ever. Do wTite to us again. 

Affectionately, Charlottf;. 

(Continuation by Alexander J. SnoTC.) 

SheEpFOI^d Friday 1847. 
Sister Willett. 

Your favor was duly received and was answered last 
week so far as writing was concerned but on Saturday morn- 
ing the weather was too bad to go to the office, so we write 
again. 



Cor win was badly burned, but has got well, is consid- 
erably scarred, but it will not show very much when he has 
a cravat on. \\t have had a very severe winter for this coun- 



124 

try; it is now the 26. I believe the weather still cold, hardly 
thawing as much through the day as it freezes in the night. 
The weather has been entirely too cold for our sheep, though 
they look passably well. We have 900 sheep, 26 head of 
horned cattle, 50 hogs and any quantity of fowls [resides the 
grouse and quails which are in great abundance. Rabbits, 
deer and wolves are likewise. I have had another hard time 
with the sore eyes, took them about New years and they are 
far from being well, now, though I have been able to read 
some for 3 or 4 w^eeks. We have all had them, every one, very 
bad. 

Payson is preparing tO' build this season, he has fenced 
60 acres this winter. Oliver Clapp & a Mr. Briggs from 
Brecksville are here now, came directly from Ohio last week, 
are thinking to stay in this section, like the country well, as 
every one must. They are both members of the Baptist 
church. 

The children call Mrs. Dayton Aunt. We think Payson 
is to call her Mother. She is truly a fine woman and Miss is 
really a fine girl. She has few equals and but one superior in 
this country and that is my Charlotte. 

Please give my respects to all enquiring friends. Tell 
Lewis that I will put my boy Louis Vimont against the world 
for everything noble on phrenological grounds. Every one 
who pretends to understand that science, exclaims on seeing 
him, "What a head," and those less scientific, "What an eye," 
and the lovers of beauty, "he ought to have been a girl, he 
is too handsome for a bo}''." And I say, had he been where 
Cassius M. was, he would not nov^ be where Cassius M. is. 
Alexander, the Great, said, "Were I not Alexander, I would 
be Diogenes." Was Louis' name not Vimont, I would have 
it Bonaparte. 

Louisa Willett is as fleshy as ever. She had the sore eyes 
very hard. They are nearly well now. Corwin's eyes are 
still quite sore. 

Produce has found but a dull market here until quite 
lately. Pork the first part of winter was but $1)-^ to $2. per 
Cwt; it is now from $3^ to 6.00 per Cwt. Lard $8. per 
Cwt. Hams 8 dollars, shoulders 7 dollars etc. We had about 
3 tons of pork to sell. The price was so low that we packed 
it. We are now selling pork at home for $7.50 per cwt. Ba- 







o 

•s. 



O 






125 

jon and lard as above. Corn is worth here now 40 i)cr Ijushcl. 
Oats, 15 cts. Wheat from 40 to 57 accc;rdinf^ to quality. 
Cows from $ij to 15. calves from $3 to 4. Yearlings $5 to 
7, 2 years old $10 to 15, 3 years old $15 to 20, oxen from $30. 
to 50. & 80. i)er ])air. horses from $2 .to 100. for farm pur- 
poses, every horse being- worth $2. because his hair is vvortli 
$1. and it is worth another dollar to take it off, making twi) 
dollars. 

We should he very happy to have a \'isit from ycju this 
summer. Will }xju ccjme. Try. Tell Jefferson Vimont that 
this is a "great country" and that Chicago is bound to be a 
great place. Ask him to come and see. 

It is getting late and the mail goes tomorrow so I must 
pass this to Charlotte. Yours Alexander. 

N. B. Our letter is all twisted up but I guess you can 
untwist it. We shall be very happy to see your young friend. 

LETTER BY ALEXANDER SNOW. 

Written by Alexander Snow to his son Fred, from 
Brecksville, O', in February, 1883, shortly before his last 
removal to Illinois, and containing an account of a big flood 
in the Cuyahoga Valley at that time. 

Brecksville Sunday Feb. 4, 1883. 

Fred How^ are you all, we are 
all well. It is a nice day. Night before last it commenced 
to rain about 10 o'clock and rained until some time in the 
night last night. The ground being hard frozen & two or 
three inches of snow on it, the water ran off very fast and the 
consequences are that Cuyahoga is a big river. The bridges 
at Boston, at our depot and at Gleasons are gone, and how 
many more I don't know. The wires are down between here 
and Cleveland. John Hitchcock came from Cleveland today 
and reports the flats there flooded, the Valley R. R. Dq^ot 
six feet under w^ater, and also a great fire at the Standard Oil 
Co.'s Works. We saw the fire last evening. A great de- 
struction of oil &c. 

It is frozen up again now. I have been hauling my posts 
down to the school house, there being no room for them at the 
Depot. They will inspect them there and then they will set 
cars for us to put them on wdien we haul them. It makes 



126 

fiiore work, bnt we haA^e to stand that on account of otrr Depot 

grounds. 

"i cannot tell when this will go. Coates may send the mail; 

by the plank road. Love to Helen & Louis. Alex is talking; 

considerable. 

Monday night. The weather is cold and snowing now\ 
We have no mail yet. and have no idea when we shall. The 
R. R. is badly damaged, the R. R. bridges on the Valley are 
all gone, the one at Cleveland, at Jackson's and the one above 
Peninsula. The Boston covered bridge did not go, nor our 
8 mile covered bridge. All tlie other bridges between the Iron 
bridge at Peninsula are down and some of the turn bridges 
in Cleveland. Only the roofs of the Valley R. R. cars in 
Cleveland were out of the water, so you can have some idea 
how it was all over the flats. A three-ton stack of hay on 
that Negro's place above West's floated down past the Depot 
and stands on the R. R. as though built t'nere on Miller's. Sev- 
eral went from here to Cleveland Saturday morning and had 
to walk out on the plank Sunday & Monday so we get some of 
the News from there. The fire was caused by the water. It 
flooded some place where was stored some gasoline and car- 
ried it down on top of the water to those stills above Wilson 
Av. to the right as we go in to Cleveland. The water got high 
enough to carry it in to their fires where it ignited and went 
down among the tanks below, and as they got hot they l)lew 
up and gave their contents to the flames. They managed to 
keep it above the R. R. They put timbers across that big 
creek and threw wood, lumber and anything they found hand- 
iest above them into the water and so stopped the surface wa- 
ter and Oil from running down, but they had several acres 

of burning Oil above. It commenced burning Saturday 

and we could see the light still Monday morning. You can 
imarrine what mijjht have been, if tlie burnino- oil had gone cm 
to the lake. 

I have not been to Lockerts' yet, will go before long. 

A. J. Snow. 




Tn face page \2'i. 

PAYSOX ALKXAXDIvR SXOW AX I) I'A.MIIA' 
(See page 135.) 



127 

CHARLOTTE LOUISE SNOW. 
1 8 19- 1905. 

(Daughter of Russ Snow and wife of Alexander J. Snow.) 

Charlotte Louise Sncjw, dauj^hter u( Russ, was l>orn at 
Bath. New Hampshire. January 6th, 1819. When a child she 
inoved with her jiarents to Atkinson. Maine. She attended 
the schools there and at Foxcroft. She was a good scholar, 
and an exceptionally good speller, and would frequently spell 
down the school when quite a sniall girl. From Maine she 
moved with her parents in the year 1835, to Brecksville, Cuya- 
hoga County, Ohio. Ijy carriage. Here she assisted her par- 
ents to start a new home on a farm in the timber, and at times 
taught school. With the first money so earned, her father 
bought irons for scythe snaths, that he had made by hand. On 
January 5th, 1839, one day before she was 20 years of age. 
she married her cousin. Alexander J. Snow, and began life 
with, him on a small farm, near her father's farm. They lived 
h.erc several years, and her first children were born at this 
place. She went with her family from here to northwestern 
Illinois, where they lived part of the time on a prairie farm, 
and p:n-t of the time in the City of Dixon, till the spring of 
1855. ^vhen the fam.ily moved back again to Ohio, where 14 
years of her life were spent on a farm that formerly belonged 
to her husband's father (Henry H. Snow). When she was 
53 years old, she and her husband retired from active life. 
He died one year after their removal to Lanark. Illinois, in 
1883. and during the balance of her life she spent eight years 
at Chad wick. 111., four years at Mt. Vernon. Iowa, and the 
last part at Cedar Rapids. Iowa, where she died April i6th. 
1005, at the ripe old age of 86 years, 3 months and 10 days. 
She was buried by the side of her husband at Lanark, Illinois. 
Slie was the mother of six children, three boys and three girls, 
two of whom died in childhood. She was as good a mother as 
ever lived. She loved her children, and tried her best to make 
good men and women of them. She was a Christian, and 
when asked if she was a good Christian, she replied, *'I never 
brag of my Christianity." 

She enjoyed company, and always had lots of it at her 
house. She was a great reader, and always kept posted on 
the current topics of the day. She lost her husband in the 
year 1884, while living at Lanark. Illinois. She remained a 



128 

widow the balance of her life and thereafter lived with her 
daughter, Mrs. Kate F. Barnes. 

Hers was a life that was worth living. 

Written by her son, Frederick Hibbard Snow. 

A little of Charlotte Snow's philosophy of living is dis- 
closed in the following earnest notes, the writing of which is 
explained by her son Corwin : 

"Never quarrel with a husband, a wife, a brother, a sis- 
ter, or any other dear friend. 'A soft answer,' says Scripture, 
'turneth away wrath.' No matter how illy you may think 
yourself treated, remember these words of Holy Writ and 
reply accordingly. When the injurer has had time for re- 
flection, he, or she, if so answered, will become thoroughly 
ashamed. A quarrel always leaves a scar." 

In explanation of the foregoing, Corwin writes : 

Cousin Owen : Since my mother's death I found the 
above written in an old blank account book — (a book a foot 
square and an inch thick, called a Journal, which had never 
been used for accounts — Clarence McBride brought it to our 
home in 1857). The writing is by Mother's hand before age 
affected it. She placed birth dates of 3 families on other 
pages. She asked me several years agO' if I "would like to 
have" this book, and I brought it to my "office" then. 




To face page 128. 

]li;i.i:x AMANDA (snow 
(See page 135.) 



M IXKR. 



129 

LETTERS r.V CHARLOTTE L. SNOW. 

The first of these letters was written Ijy Charlotte L. 
Snow^ to her l)rother, Henr}- Holland Snow, the second of that 
name, and the nephew of the hrst one so styled, in Noveml>er, 
1886, a month or two after the second of the two rcnnions of 
the Snow families that were lield in the early "eighties" and 
\\hich the promoters hoped to see repeated every two years. 
As elsewhere stated the first of these two rennions was held 
at the homes of Owen P. and H. Holland Snow at Brecks- 
ville. Ohio, in September, 1884, ^'^nc^ the second at the homes 
of E. VV. Stocker and Corwin R. Snow, Sr., near Keystone, 
Iowa, in September, 1886. 

Lanark, Nov. 28th, 1886. 

Dear Brother Holland 

"^I'onr letter of Oct 26th came in dne season. Th.c re- 
nnionists did not go from our place till last week, Hat. Seifert 
going Sat. the week before. Harriet was here nearly three 
weeks. She seemed to enjoy her visit, and it was like old 
times to have the "girls" here together. Jennie was here too. 
(Didn't quarrel) but each one gave expression to private opin- 
ion occasionally. Hat brought pictures of her three boys — 
fine looking fellows. Charles E. Seifert lives in Rawlins, Wy- 
oming Ter., George A. Seifert at Calumet. Michigan, and 
William A. Seifert at Butte, Butte Co., Dakota. Hat re- 
grets that her boys are so far from home. 

Jennie will spend the winter in Los Angeles. She m.ay 
not come back for a year or tAvo, but intends to be at the next 
reunion; says it should be in Maine, however. Mrs. Willett 
hated to leave, but had to go, on account of her claim, or 
homestead. She took v.ith her different kinds of seeds, cut- 
tings of grapes, currants, etc.. strawberry vines or roots and 
e\'erything of the kind one could mention. They started last 
Tuesday morning, with Bix box, little box. Band box, and 
bundle — and we are lonely, now they are all gone. 

I suppose your children were all home on Thanksgiving- 
day — and Owen's too. We ate our oysters by ourselves, not 
even Dr. Fred coming, he being too busy. Had five calls that 
day. Chad wick is going ahead, sixteen new buildings already, 
good houses too. and another railroad coming to Chadwick, 
so they say. 

Payson likes the school and everything about Lanark. 
1 expected he would be homesick. He will go home Christ- 



130 

mas for a couple of weeks. Bab}^ Alex says "there is a good 
tleal of fun in Aunty Willett." and he "Hkes her best of any 
of bis Aunts, except Uncle Corwin." 

Kit is as pretty as ever, and does the most of the work.. 
Tell Mary to come and make us another visit and stay longer. 
Love to all your boys and girls, especially Amanda. 

Kind regards to Owen and Frank and all that belong to 
the brick house. 

Write soon to your 

Affectionate Sister 

Charlotte L. Snow. 

* * * i!' -1J * 

Lanark March ist 1890 
Dear Brother Holland 

No, I have no remem- 
brance of any vsinter so warm as this, excepting the first win- 
ter we lived in Ohio — when we picked wild flowers in Feb- 
ruary. In the first of this winter we had a few snow flakes. 
Yesterday we had our first snow storm, snow falling to the 
depth of six or eight inches. This morning — eight degrees 
below zero — and today the town is crowded with sleighs and 
sleds. We had our kitchen chimney taken down in midwinter 
and a new one built. Were without a fire in our kitchen four 
weeks. 

March 2d. Cold and clear this morning, seven degrees 
below zero — and Chicago has the Fair. Your eastern cities 
are nowhere. "Westward the star of &c." Chicago can beat 
the world. You will see. Already they are staking out a 
double track for the cars on the railroad front our house, and 
Chicago will stretch out to Lanark or Chadwick by the time 
the Fair is in good running order. To be sure we are having 
Hard Times in the wTst and farmers get next to nothing for 
their crops, but they can raise them all the same. 

I presume the map you spoke of was from Sullivan as he 
3s in Florida this winter. Fred Chaffee went to Florida last 
fall with Mr. Richardson, who has Paralysis. Fred called 
here on his return. Said he asked his Uncle Sull when he 
was going back to Blairstown and he said Florida was good 
enough for him. Fred is one of Mr. Richardson's clerks, 
keeps the books and has been promised a third interest in the 
store. Fred is six feet, two inches in height and weighs one 




ALKRKiJ A. Axi) iii:i.l;x Tsnow) mtnkr. 




T(i face page t.^o. 



nKi.Kx s p,Ai!ii;s. 

CdKWIX AXI) XADIXK MIXER. 



liinulrecl ?ind seventy-five pounds. Looks like his mother. 
"Little Frank" who is fourteen, lights the Beacon (off shore 
a mile and a half) every night, for which he gets ten dollars 
a month. Chaffee is I'ost Master, County Commissioner, and 
lias applied for, and will get a pension. 

I had a letter from Karl a few weeks ago, have answered 
it and hope he will write again and that he will g"0 to Chicago, 
:\nd come and see us once in a while. Kit has a felon on her 
right liaml which is about as bad as anything can be, and little 
Alick is crying with the tootli-ache. As for myself, I am quite 
gay and festive, ncit ha\'ing been lame any for over two 
months. Dr. Frederic has not been up since the 8th of Feb, 
Has been very busy all winter. 

Aunt Jennie v.rites me from Washington, where she 
went to attend the Womans Suffrage Convention, and the 
Banquet given Susan B. Anthony. 

Rheumatism seems to be a family failing — you having 
it as well as myself. Am glad you are better. 

March 3d Today is Orpha's birthday. She would have 

been sixty-one years old. I would like to see baby Charlotte, 

<^r do you call her Lottie? Not so cold today. Please write 

again. 

Your Afifectionate Sister 

CHARI.OTTE. 
***** 

Chadwick, Nov. 28, 1891. 
Dear Brother Holland. 

Yours of Nov. 13 received. Yes, we are living in our 
new home, moved into our house Nov. 4, and had everything 
settled and ready for our Thanksgiving dinner. In arrang- 
ing the table for dinner I placed five kernels of corn in each 
plate in remembrance of the Pilgrims, when ''at one time the 
amount of food was limited to five kernels of corn to each 
person for one day." Then w^e had different kinds of vege- 
tables, pickles, and jelly, with roast turkey, Graham and wdiite 
bread, wnth excellent butter from the creamery. For dessert, 
cream, cherry and mince pie, fruit cake and pound cake, ap- 
ples and grapes and pineapple preserves. 

The Snows all invited, but only Fred, Helen, Louis and 
Jennie came. Aunt Jennie brought us all a souvenir from for- 
eign lands ; a moonstone ring from Rome for the Doctor, an 
embroidered satin headrest, or chair cushion, for Helen, a 



1^2 

china mug for Louis, a small watch (good time keeper) from 
Geneva, for little Alick; a feather boa from London, a pair 
of gloves from Paris, a white lace veil such as they wear in 
Paris, and a book of instrumental music for Kit; a pair of 
gloves from Paris, and a mosaic pin from Florence for my- 
self — and with, all the rest a beautiful boquet of chrysanthe- 
mums for the table. She took her five kernels of corn home 
with her. 

Our new house with wood shed, places for hard and soft 
coal at one end, grading, cistern etc. etc. cost sixteen hundred 
dollars ; five good sized rooms below and four chambers or 
rooms upstairs besides a store-room over the kitchen. "I 
don't see how you got it all done so cheap," Aunt Jennie said. 
There is a place left for a pantry and kitchen closet to be built 
on some time. 

Chadwick has 260 inhabitants ; when there are 40 more, 
the town will be incorporated and will be called the city of 
Chadwick, and we can have a saloon for the benefit of — ^I don't 
know who it will benefit after all. 

Sunday evening, Nov, 29 

Just home from the Dr's where we had dinner. Fred is 
quite busy; roads are rough though tliere is considerable 
snow on the ground, and Fred drives in a sleigh to see his pa- 
tients. Thermometer at zero yesterday and today. 

Mrs. Willett writes that she is coming east in the spring. 

Charles and Hat. Seifert have moved to Dakota where 
their son Will lives. 

Little Alick is a good scholar, learns music easily and is 
a good "singer;" he is Vice-president in the League, but acts 
as President sometimes to- show the boys how. 

I think you and Mary might make us a visit just as well 
as not. Wish I could see you all. 

Sister Charlotte;. 

Chadwick, Jan. 4, 1897. 
My dear Niece May. 

Your letter containing the pretty New Years gift came 
in due season. Many thanks for the letter and the present. 
The Flowers you gave me when I saw you last, I kept fresh 
for more than a week after our return home. The linen hand- 
kerchief you sent me a year ago is the best in the sachet Aunt 
Jennie made for me when she was here Thanksgiving week. 




CORWIX RUSS SX()\\', IK. 




To face page 132. 

KATIE (jAcons) sxnw. 



^33 

It seems Rosie keeps you posted with the news from the 
Maineites. I had been wisliing^ I could hear from them. 

Yesterday was warm, with rain, today cold and snow- 
ing. We are all interested in Brecksville news ; I am glad to 
learn that Miss Charlotte Louise Snow is improving her time 
so well. She will be a credit to her name. 

All usually well at the Dr's. Mrs. Hannum about the 
same, general health pretty good. Louis was here to dinner 
toda}- ; he seems quite well again. 

Corwin and his boys are driving ahead on their big farm. 
T suppose Payson will be married in March when we shall ex- 
pect a visit from him and his bride (a school teacher). 

I like to think of our visit t(^ Ohio. It was the right time 
of year, O. K. all round. 

Love to your mother. 1 hope she wnll get rid of that 
lameness right away. 

Alick is going to the postoffice, says he can't wait any 
longer for this letter. Kind regards to Jessie and the family 
and best washes for yourself. 

Aunt Charlotte; 



154 

CHILDREN OF ALEXANDER AND CHARLOTTE 

SNOW. 
(Son Henry, Benjamin.) 

V. I. CORWIN RUSS, bom Sept. 14, 1841, at Brecksville. 

Ohio; married Amanda M. Woodruff July 16, 

1868, 
V. 2. LOUISE WILLETT, born April 9, 1843, -it Brecks- 

ville, Ohio ; married Comfort E. Chaffee Jan, 

4, 1865; died Jan. i, 1882, at Blairstown, Iowa. 
y. 3. LOUIS VIMONT, born Feb. 28, 1845, at Brecksville. 

Ohio; died May 27, 1848. at Payne's Point, III. 
V. 4. KATE FRANCES, born May 14, 1851, at Dixon. 

Ill; married Homer W. Barnes March 20. 1878, 
V. 5. FREDERIC HIBBARD, born Feb. 8, 1854, at Brecks- 

ville, Ohio; married Helen Hannum Dec. 25, 

1878. 
V. 6. LOTTIE MAUD ROSEBELLE, born Aug. 17, 1862. 

at Brecksville, O'hio; died Dec. 30, 1865, at 

Brecksville, Ohio. 

V. I. CORWIN RUSS SNOW. 
(Son Alexander, Henry, Benjamin.) 

Corwin Russ Snow was born at Brecksville, Oliio. Sept. 
14. 1841, and married Amanda M. Woodniff at Vinton, Iowa, 
on the 1 6th of July. 1868. His wife was born at Pomeroy, 
Ohio, on the 24th of October. 1846, and died at Augustana 
Hospital, Chicago, III., February 4, 1894. and was buried at 
Belle Plains, Iowa. 

Kate F. Barnes describes her brother Corwin as follows : 
"Medium height, black hair, and dark eyes. Orderly, and 
very exact in all of his business transactions. Deliberate in 
making a decision, looking at all sides of a question before 
handing in a verdict. Makes a good juror and county officer. 
Generous to his friends, liberal in his views and alwa5'-s ready 
to be convinced. A student, never slighting anything, but 
working until he has mastered the situation. He was con- 
sidered an excellent teacher, and would have made a good 
professor in any college. Musical, a fine German scholar, and 
as a story teller can not be excelled. 

"A kind and indulgent father, highly respected by all 
who know him, and ever ready to welcome his friends at 
'Evergreen Farm.' Benton County, Iowa." 




To face page 134. 

ORPHA AMAMJA SXOW 
DAU. CORWIN R. SNOW, JK. 

(See page 137 at top.) 



135 



CHILDREN. 

la. Payson Ai.kxandkk, b. Dec. 12, 1870, Kane Twp., Iowa; 
111. Mary Christina Mueller Fd). 24, 1897. Children: 
Karl Henry Snow, b. Aug-. 9. 1903, Linn County, 
Iowa, and l)rought to "Evergreen" Feb. 29. 1894. 

lb. HijLEiV Amanda, b. May 30. 1872, Keystone, Iowa; n',. 
Alfred A. Miner, Feb. 19, 1899. Children: Amanda 
Nadine. b. Dec. 10, 1894, Union Tw|>.. Benton Co.. 
Iowa; Corwin Alfred, b. .May ly, 1906, Union Twp., 
Benton Co., Iowa. 

ic. Corwin Russ, Jr., b. April 5. 1875, near Keystone, Iowa; 
ni. Katie Jacobs Mar. 4, 190 1 ; Children : Orpha Aman- 
da, b. Mar. 25, 1906, ''Everj^-recn," Kane Twp.. Ben- 
ton Co., Iowa. 

I a Payson Alcxavidcr Snoiv. ''Born near Keystone. 
Iowa, Dec. 12, 1870. He is of medium heig-ht. slender, has 
light brown hair and blue eyes. A vein of humor cropped 
out in him early in life, and he was always playing some joke 
on his play fellow^s, but he was as ready to" take, as to give. 
no one enjoying a good joke better than he. as evidenced by 
his liearty laugh. He spent some time in school at Lanark. 
Illinois, and then settled down on his father's farm. On Feb. 
24, 1897. ^''^ married Mary C. Moeller, who was born Dec. 
31, 1875, — the daughter of Henry D, Moeller and Martha M. 
Mohrman, — and they erected a cozy home about a quarter of 
a mile from the old home site, w^here they, with their little 
curly-haired boy Karl, live very happily. Payson is a good 
farmer, and a great reader, taking an active interest in poli- 
tics and all county and township affairs. He has served as 
Republican delegate to State Conventions, and has occupied a 
numi>pi- of minor oflices." 

2a. Helen Amanda S)U)-iC Miner. "Born at Evergreen, 
near Keystone, Iowa. May 30, 1872. She is not very tall, has 
light hair and blue eyes. In manner she is quiet, dignified 
and deliberate. She is a fine horsewoman, and uses car- 
penter's tools to advantage, having made pieces of furniture 
for her home. Early in life she gave promise of becoming an 
artist, and later, going into the fields and sketching the ani- 
mals on her father's farm, and also the deer that she bought 
with her own money, she made these animals look so life- 
like on canvas, that men th.roughout the state, came to her for 



. 136 

paintings of their thoroughbred racers. She had a painting 
hanging in the Iowa building at the World's Fair. 

"A prominent artist in New York City on seeing one of 
her paintings wrote her that she could make a second Rosa 
Bonheur, if she could have the advantages that that artist 
possessed. At Vinton, Iowa, Feb. 19, 1899, she married Al- 
fred A. Miner, and is very happy at her cozy farm home, 
with her kind and thoughtful husband and her two children. 
Nadine and Corwin. 

"She spends much of her time in her studio and makes 
pets of all the animals, especially the ponies, leading them 
through her house and teaching them tricks, so that they fol- 
low her about, coaxing for the lumps of sugar that they know- 
lie deep in her pockets for them, if they obey her commands." 

Her husband is a farmer and they have resided in Leroy 
and Union Townships. Benton County, Iowa. Mr. Miner 
was born Nov. 11, 1875. His father was a Union soldier, 
who saw three years of service, was wounded and a prisoner 
200 days. His mother was a Mary Anderson. 

K. F. B. 

3a. Corwin Russ Snozc, Jr. "Born near Keystone, 
Iowa, April 5, 1875. Medium height, light brown curly hair, 
and blue eyes. Very industrious and strongly built physically, 
he makes an ideal farmer. He is a lover of the home, a kind 
husband and father, and a good business man, being econom- 
ical and a money maker. 

"He is a great reader, quite decided in his opinions, and 
persevering — always making things come his way. 

"He takes quite an active interest in politics and has 
served the Republican party faithfully in county affairs. 

"He married Katie Jacobs March 4, 1901, and they, with 
their dark-eyed daughter Orpha, live in the old homestead, 
built by his father in 1868, and known as 'Evergreen Farm.' " 

His wife, always called Katie Jacobs, was born at Swab- 
stadt, Germany, May 15, 1879. She was named Wilhelmina 
Katherine Jacobs, and came to Benton County, Iowa, June 3, 
1880. She is the daughter of Peter Jacobs and Anna E. 
Henkens. A. J. B. 

In speaking out of the fondness of his grandfatherly 
heart, for which we compliment him, of his latest grandchild, 
(born March 25, 1906) the daughter of his youngest son and 




ii'-iia- tiiiit 'U-Lt,,, 



To face page 1,37. 
COMFORT 12. AND LOUISE (SNOW) CHAFFEE. 
FRKD S. CHAFFEE. 



137 

child, Corwin Riiss Snow, Jr., Corwiii, Sr. "-ivcs us the fol- 
lowing- interesting ancestral recapitnlalion. which 'deserves 
preservation : 

"This little v^now is possibly tlie last Hake down, having 
Hliohted l)nt nine ninntlis since. She is exceedingiv alert, and 
sweet tempered, as the artist has well shown. 

She comes among us as a representative from six nations. 
as follows: 

From three families. Snow, Tiib])ard and Hussey. she is 
English — [c> parts. 

From two families. Jameson and Torrence, she is Irish — 
3 parts. 

From one family. Blackington. she is Scotch — -i part. 

From one family. Potter, she is Holland Dutch — 2 parts. 

From one family. Henkens. she is Dane — i part. 

From two families, Jacobs & Taens. she is German — -15 
parts. 

More — she is 

Yours Truly. Orpha Amanda Snow, 
At Home Evergreen. Iowa. 

2. LOUISE WILLETT (SNOW) CHAFFEE. 
(Dan. Alexander. Henry, Benjamin.) 

Louise Willett Snow' was born at Brecksville. Ohio. 
April 9. 1843, and married Comfort Emerson Chaffee Jan. 4. 
1865. She died Jan. i. 1882. at Blairstown, Iowa, and w\as 
buried four days later in the same place. Her husband was 
born at Brecksville. May i, 1842, and died and was buried at 
Titusville. Florida. July 9. 1894. 

"Louise Willett had light hair and hazel eyes. She w^as 
tall, stately and graceful, a leader in society, and a central fig- 
ure at all entertainments, ever ready with her repartee. 

"She attended school at Oberlin. Ohio, and at the close 
of the Civil War married Comfort E. Chaffee who had served 
three years and three months in the Union Army, taking an 
active part in many battles. She was an excellent wdfe and 
mother, accomplishing much while working in her quiet, dig- 
nified way. She made many friends and loved to entertain at 
her cozy home at Blairstown, Benton County, Iowa.". 



1^8 



CHILDREN. 

2a. Fred Sheridan Chaefee, b. Jan. 9, 1870, near Key- 
stone, Iowa; m. Josephine McKinney, Oct. 24, 1892. 
Children, Harold Snow Chaffee, b. Titusville. Flor- 
ida, Oct. 30, 1897, 

2b. Frank Russell Chafeee, b. Sept. 26, 1875; d. June 
24, 1904, at Houston, Texas. 

2a. ^'Frcd Sheridan Chaifcc has light hair, blue eyes, 
and is six feet, two inches tall. He was born Jan. 9, 1870, 
near Keystone, Iowa. His parents left the farm in 1873, 
moving to Blairstown, where his father entered the mercantile 
business. His mother died Jan. i, 1882, and in 1883 his fa- 
ther married Miss Cora Van Metre, moving to Florida on the 
Indian River, where Fred learned to be an expert swimmer 
and canoeist. In 1888 Fred came north to Lanark, 111., lived 
with his grandmother, working in a drug store, and married 
Josephine Lou McKinney of that place, Oct. 24, i8g.:, and 
then went back to Florida, on account of his father's poor 
health. His wife was born Sept. 19, 1872, at Chardon, Geau- 
ga County, Ohio. 

"Afterward they moved to Titusville, Florida, where 
their child Harold was born. They moved to Jacksonville, 
Florida just after the big fire there, where they now live. Fred 
is manager of a drug store, and is also dealing in real estate. 

"As a bay he was very active, quick to learn, a good 
scholar and a boy that men stopped to speak to on the street. 
He is a high degree Mason, a good business-man, a fine drug- 
gist, and would have made an excellent physician. Fred is 
even-tempered, generous, ambitious, quick in all his motions, 
ready to act in an emergency, and has a large amount of self- 
control — a young man that gets all there is in life, and makes 
hosts of friends wherever he lives." K. F. B. 

2b. ''Prank Russell Chaifcc was born at Blairstown, 
Iowa, September 26, 1875. He w-as a beautiful child with 
large blue eyes and hair like spun gold, very active, and ex- 
ceedingly earnest in everything he said or did. He grew to 
be 5 ft. 9^/^ inches tall. At seven years of age he lost his 
mother, and in 1884 moved to Florida w^ith his brother Fred, 
father and stepmother. There he learned to fish, swim and 
manage a canoe on the Indian River, but his chances for an 




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139 

<Hlncation were limited. He improved every opi>ortunity, and 
in ilie fall of 1898 entered the Dental Department of the Uni- 
•\ersity of Atlanta, Georgia, working hard for two years, and 
in the fall of 1900 he ojiened a Dental ofiice at Houston, 
Texas, and lost his life in that city June 24, 1904, as the re- 
sult of an accident. 

"He was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, of the 
Indian River Loilge, F. & A. M., Titusville. Florida, and was 
ijuried at Houston with all the honors of a thirty-second de- 
gree Mason, he having had that degree conferred upon him 
<Mily a short time Ijefore liis death. 

"He was engaged to a Miss Pauline McLeod, daughter 
t)f a Congregational minister. 

"Frank was kind, generous, earnest, ambitious, noble, 
courageous and brave, such a young man, as this country 
r.eeds." • K. F. B. 

4. KATE FRANCES (SNOW) BARNES. 
(Dau. Alexander, Henry, Benjamin.) 

Kate Frances Snow was born at Dixon, 111., May 14, 
1 85 1, and was married to Homer Wilson Barnes at Brecks- 
ville, Ohio, March 20. 1878. Mr. Barnes was born at Brecks- 
ville, February 15, 1855, and died at the same place Novem- 
ber 16, 1882. 

"While Alexander J. and Charlotte L., grandchildren of 
Benjamin, were residing at the then little city of Dixon, the 
capitol of Lee County, Illinois, and while he was selling goods 
in the only brick business building in the city, and manufac- 
turing brick and lime, and she was entertaining, and being 
entertained by the elite, there came to them one day in May 
a bright-eyed baby girl. It was soon learned that her name 
in full was Kate Frances Snow. 

"The little Miss had black hair and eyes, and her com- 
plexion savored of the darker, as if to balance so white a 
name and character. 

"Time wore on. and this little maiden became the pet of 
the households of her parents and grandparents — Russ and 
Ruth. Especially was this true of her father, even unto his 
death. She studied at Snowville Academy in Brecksville, and 
at Richfield Academy, nearby, in Ohio, and grasped all mat- 



140 

tei's ot ecluc^tlioii with ease, for she had be^en" given a brafo 
quick to see and solve. 

"Music charmed her and she longed exceedingly to re- 
ceive more training in that art, and further education at a 
college, but being of gentle, dutiful and obedient disposition, 
she continued at the home of her father, for how could he* 
spare herf 

"Womanhood found her smaH, like her grandmothers, 
rather than like her mother, and ver}^ active, vivacious and 
loquacious, thus more like her grandmother Sarah than Ruth, 

"Time passed, misfortune befell the husband of joy-giving' 
Kit Snow, now Mrs. Barnes, and later befell her father. 
Thereafter she devoted her energies to tlie care of her mother 
and the education of her son, and after the completion of his 
studies at Ann Arbor and a trip throughout Europe with him, 
this admired and esteemed woman was to be found during the 
spring of 1907 in her beautiful home at 1601 2nd Avenue 
Cedar Rapids, lov.'a, entertaining the elite of the city and 
keeping house for her son, Attorney A. J. Barnes. 

C. R. S. 

CHIIvDREN, 

4a. Alexander James Barnes, b. July 5. 1881, at 
Brecksville. Ohio. 

4a "Alexander James Barnes is slender, has brown hair 
^nd blue eyes, and is 5 feet, 9 inches in height. In the spring 
of 1883 he moved to Lanark, III., with his mother and 1891 
to Chadwick, III. He graduated from the Chadwick schools 
in 1898 and from the Lanark High School in 1899. Received 
the degree of A. B. from Cornell College at Mt. Vernon, 
Iowa, in 1903, and on June 21, 1906, he received the degree of 
LL. B. from the Law Department of the University of Mich- 
igan. The summer immediately following he spent in Europe 
with his mother, visiting England, Holland. Belgium, Ger- 
many, Switzerland, Italy and Prance. 

"He commenced the practice of law at Cedar Rapids. 
Iowa, in the fall of 1906. He is a student, of a friendly, so- 
ciable temperament, and a young man of decided opinions: 
a lover of all kinds of athletics and games, and very musical, 
playing the piano, mandolin and violin. He has a good tenor 
voice which he has put to use in college theatricals and ora- 
torios, and in the position of church soloist." 





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14^ 

LETTER BY KATE R BARNES. 

The followiiii;- letter, written by Kate F. Barnes frori5 
London, to her cousin Jessie (Snow) Wilcox, at Cleveland. 
Ohio, is hut one of the many interesting letters from her pen 
ihat have afforded pleasure to her Snow cousins in their sev- 
*:ral sections of the country. Like all the rest it is bright and 
breezy and reflects much of the cheery, enthusiastic tempera- 
ment that has always made "Cousin Kit" .so likeable. 



Alex and I are on the fourth floor. 
The **■■•= 

MORTON 

* * * * Hotel 

Russell vSquare Telegrams: "Morton Hotel, London.'^ 

London, W. C. Telephone No. 1618 Gerrard. 

July 4, 1906. 
Dear Jessie. 

Well, we had a safe ocean voyage, stayed at Liverpool last 
Sunday night. Reached that city at 3.30 Sunday, P. M. I 
slid not like thai city. Monday at 2.30 we started for Strat- 
ford on Avon. Reached there in time for their 7 o'clock din- 
ner, at a quaint little Inn, kept by Mrs, Fry, who met us at 
the door with a smile. Visited Shakespeare's home, 16 rooms, 
floors below flag stone, covered with flags and sweet herbs in 
his time. Stood at his desk, sat in his chair, and Mrs. Cherry 
and I sat in the large kitchen fire place. Had a launch ride 
on the beautiful Avon, sailed down the river past Trinity 
church where Shakespeare lies, and heard the nightingales 
sing, Oh, so sweetly. Then up the river under the grand old 
bridge built in 1492. So many row boats on the river, and 
girls dressed in white, standing in the boats, taking people up 
the river. Made me think of "The Lady of the Lake" pic- 
ture. 

We went to Trinity church next morning, saw where 
Shakespeare lies, the fount where he was baptized, and the 
book containing the record of his birth and death. I forgot 
to mention that we stayed on the Avon until 9 o'clock, came 
home at 10. and it was still daylight. It is 9 o'clock now, 
and 1 am writing by an open window. Not time for electricity. 
We left Stratford at 2.30 P. M., reached Oxford at 4, and left 
there at 7.15 for this city. Alex will write to Owen of Ox- 



142 

ford. I did not like it there, but I do like London. Reached 
here last evening at 8.30. 

This morning we visited "Hyde Park," a beautiful large 
park. We sat on seats on "Rotten Row" (is that right) and 
saw the aristocrats, ladies and gentlemen, ride horseback. Saw 
many finely dressed people there. Then we found a good 
place for lunch, and then went to the Matinee. No street cars 
in London, only on the outskirts of the city. All carriages and 
trams. I love to ride on the upper deck. See better. All 
keep to the left. 

At the theater tea and crackers were served between acts 
by young ladies in black with pretty little white aprons. They 
call crackers biscuit here. The elevator is called the lift. They 
only serve tea and coffee at breakfast, extra pay the rest of 
the day. Not near as dangerous to be on the street here as 
in Cleveland, Not so many autos and no cars. We saw ever 
so many American flags floating today. Looked good. As 
Aunt Jennie used to say, I'd like to live here. 

All one horse rigs in Liverpool. A four-horse team is 
four horses in line. Looked so queer. All brick houses in 
Stratford, except John Harvard's birth place. Ann Hathaway's 
home and Shakespeare's home are of oak beams, put to- 
gether with wooden pegs. The streets there are very narrow 
and walk only on one side of the street. Oxford has horse 
cars, and they blow a wooden whistle, as they used to in 
Cleveland years ago. The steam cars and engines here are so 
small, and go as fast as our fast mail. I like the first-class 
apartments. Fine way to travel. Alex and I are having the 
time of our lives. It's gj'cat. Alex has gone to- the theater 
tonight, all by himself. I am down in the pretty drawing- 
room. 

Our address for the summer care of American Express 
Co. 5 and 6 Hay Market. 

Pall Mall. 
London. 

Eng. 

They call it Pell Mell here, and say "ye know." Hope 
you are better. Take good care of yourself and come to Eu- 
rope some day my dear. 

Cousin Kit. 




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5. mi. PREDERTCK TIIBBARI) vSNOAV. 
(Son Alexander, i-Ienry, ]'>enjaniin. ) 

V Dr. Frederick Hibhard Siiovv was born at 15recksville. 
O'lic, February 8, 1854. and on tlie 25th of December, 1878. 
married Helen Cornelia llannum. wlio was born at Brecks- 
ville, November 19. 1855. Frederick H. Snow was educated 
in the Hioh Schools of Richfield and lirccksville, Ohio. He 
beg-an the study of medicine with Dr. \X. A. Knowlton, for- 
merly of Brecksville, in the sprino- of 1876, and attended three 
courses of lectures in the Medical Departnient of the Uni- 
versity of Wooster in Cleveland, gTaduatin^- therefrom Fel> 
ruary 27, 1879. During the year of 1879 he lived (m the 
farm of his grandfather Henry, in Brecksville, and in the 
spring of 1880 moved from there to Independence, Ohio, and 
began the practice of medicine. He li\ed here one year, and 
here his only child, Louis, was born. In the spring of 1881 
he moved to Brecksville, and went into company with Dr. 
W. A. Knowlton. In the spring of 1882 he again moved to 
the farm in Brecksville. In May of that year he sold this 
farm, and moved to Benton County, Iowa, where he bought a 
farm and lived on same two years. In the fall of 1884 he 
moved to Lanark, Illinois, and again took up the practice of 
medicine. In the summer of 1886 he moved to Chadwick, 
Illinois, where he remained until T906, moving then to ^'Gold- 
en Hill," San Diego, California. 

"Dr. Frederick Hibbard Snow is tall, has black hair, and 
laughing black eyes. In habit he is liberal, orderly and de- 
lii)crate. always busy, and making every move count. He 
mnkes a good presiding officer, is a ready speaker and is mu- 
sical, having a good bass voice, and often being called upon to 
sing at public entertainments. He is a good business man. a 
German scholar, and a member of the Masonic Lodge, a fine 
physician and an excellent surgeon, kind pnd tender-hearted. 
Dr. Snow is kind and indulgent in his familv, and highlv re- 
spected by all who know him, as a man, as a citizen and as a 
member of his profession." 

CHILDRKN. 

5a. Louis Frederick Snow, b. Sept. 17. 1880, at Inde- 
pendence, Ohio. 

5a. Louis Frederick Snow is tall and slender, with 
brown hair and large blue eyes. Louis was always a good 



144 

student, fond of reading, and a very ingenious youngster, who 
occupied his spare moments making little toys and mechan- 
ical instruments with blade of knife, saw, hammer and draw- 
shave. 

In High School at Chad wick, III, he was very fond of 
baseball, being quite an effective pitcher. He attended Cor- 
nell College at Mt. Vernon, Iowa, where his scientific mind 
quickly turned to chemistry as a specialty. He followed up 
this line of study at the University of Illinois, graduating 
from that institution in June, 1906. 

He was always a proficient horseman and loved horse- 
back riding. He is an expert swimmer, likes to hunt, and is 
in his element when camping with a crowd of his friends. 

He moved to San Diego, Cal., with his parents the sum- 
mer of 1906, and now works for the Chas. H. Lilly Co., Se- 
attle, Washington. A. J. B. 



11 





To face page 145. 

EDWARD PAYSON SNOW 



145 
VI. 

EDWARD PAYSON SNOW, 

1816-1884. 
(Sixth child of Henry H. Snow.) 

E. Payson Snow hved the first six years of his life at At- 
kinson, Elaine. From this age to the age of twenty years his 
home was with his father at Levant. Maine. At this age he 
elided his father to remove with his family to Brecksville, Ohio, 
.ij'oini; with iiini and the honsehold goods by way of ocean, 
ri\er. lake and canal. In Ohio his sister Louisa soon found 
tor him a position with a tea merchant at Cleveland. His 
'.luty was to sell tea throughout the country around about, and 
in doing so he dro\e a matched span of handsome dappled 
cream-colored horses. Later, in company with his brother 
Alexander, he gathered up a flock of sheep in Ohio and drove 
them to Illinois. Thus, it is said Merino sheep were intro- 
duced into that State. 

He now determined to build a home upon the wild prai- 
ries of the great West, and located in Marion Township, Ogle 
Co.. III. In doing this his sister Louisa aided him again. 
Mere he married; here he fought the battles of the pioneer 
farmer and nurser}-man ; here he encountered the tough, hard 
times of the later 40'ies and early 50'ies. and prepared to win 
a victory in the better times of the later 50'ies and the flush 
times of the 6o'ies. By great industry, close economy and 
good management he had accumulated a competance at the 
age of forty-nine years, and as his health began to fail, he sold 
liis farm home and retired to enjoy the fruits of his labors. 
He spent the balance of his life at different places from Maine 
to California, principally in Illinois and New Jersey. He was 
known in business as "E. P. Snow." His parents gave him 
l)ut one name — Payson. He wanted another initial, "and 
chose "E," and said it signified "Edward." if need be. 

He was of medium size and heigh.t. neither slim nor 
stout, and in middle life was very strong and vigorous and 
capable of great endurance. He had a large head, and his 
hands and feet were large. In stature and appearance he re- 
sembled the men of his mother's family — ^the Jamesons. His 
hair was black, his beard soft, silky, and abundant. His com- 
plexion was also dark, but his eyes were blue, the color of his 
mother's, with the sharp expression of those of his father. 

He was moderate and thoughtful, cautious and careful. 



146 

regarding all matters of action ; had a wish to avoid risk. He 
did all business on a cash basis. He was of pleasing address, 
entertaining in conversation, and a good story teller. 

He would have nothing to do with tobacco or intoxicant, 
nor with church-going religion. Among his regrets one was 
that he had not given more time to education in his youth, 
another that he had no children. 

This man, Payson Snovv', V\as of the number of those 
who were endowed with many of the finer qualities of brain 
and heart. 

On a certain occasion, having completed the erection of 
a fine dwelling at iXlgin, Illinois, he thought to recruit his 
health by a cruise on the great lakes. When about to step 
aboard boat at Chicago for this purpose, he stopped, turned 
about, and sought a train to return to his home. As he step- 
ped from the train at Elgin an acquaintance addressed him 
with, "Your house is on fire, Mr. Snow." The boRt he would 
not board was lost, with all on board ; the home he sough.t was 
lost, with all its contents. Of the fire he said, "I lost all my 
treasures — all my relics and records." He was interested in 
the history of the Snow family. "The tribe of Benjamin," and 
gave much time and thought to research regarding it. 

LETTER BY E. P. SNOW. 
The following letter, written by E. P. Snow, a little over 
two years before his death, is interesting for the family ref- 
erences which it contains, and the assurance that it gives of 
the writer's interest in the genealogy of the Snow family, 
mention of which is made by Corwin R. Snow in the forego- 
ing sketch of his uncle. E. P. Snow spent considerable time 
and efifort in the endeavor to trace his early ancestry. This 
letter was directed to his sister, Louise Snow Willett. 

ViNELAND, New Jersey, Jan. 15, '82. 
Sister Louise. 

We left Cal. the 15th Sept. and arrived here the 12th 
Nov. I have forgotten when I wrote you last but I think I 
have since I visited Selina at her home in Orange last Aug. 
1 rec'd a letter from her a month ago. Her health is very 
poor. She is not able to walk to the postoffice a linlf mile 
away. She was dreadfully bloated when I was there ; says 
she shall sell her place if she gets a good ofifer, says the in- 



547 

terest of llic money would be more than the income of the 
place. 1 wrote her she had better keep the place, it made a 
home for her and she hatl to live somewhere. I do not know 
what she will do or what is best for her to do. She has a 
cozy little home. Her h(juse is 12 by 20 feet I think, divided 
into two. equal rooms. There could be a lean-to added on 
the back Side, of 9 or 10 feet .wide, making two l>ed i*ooms, 
tor about $100, which would make it quite a hcnise. Milton, 
you know, cultivated her place .last season for a share of the 
crop. lie made his share of the grapes into raisins. I wrote 
to him to send me a few by mail. He sent a pound box. which 
iire No. I raisins. ^ ,\ . ' 

I had to stop in Neb., Iowa and 111. on business.. -Isup- 
pose of course you liave the sad news of the death of Louise 
C!h.?.ft'ee. She died of lung fever at her home in Blairstown, 
Sunday, Jan. ist. Alex and Charlotte got there Monday 
morning 18 hours after her death. They were terribly shocked, 
not knowing that she was dangerously ill. They had heard 
she was sick, and went out to nurse her up. We visited all 
the relatives there last Oct., found them all well and appar- 
ently doing well. Louise has left two bright, fine boys. Frank 
about six and Fred about eleven. He is a fine scholar and a 
manly little fellow. We liked Belle's husband (Jas. H. Ham- 
ilton), very much. He is a young farmer about Belle's age. 

We have rooms at the Baker House, the best Hotel in 
town. There are about 20 regular boarders. We expect to 
remain here five or six weeks longer and then go to Wash- 
ington for a while, and as soon as the weather will admit in 
the spring, go to Saratoga Springs for a month or so and 
then drift down through New England and make out the sum- 
mer. I want to go to Plymouth and to Eastham. where the 
two Snow brothers settled, that our family sprung from. I 
became acquainted with a Capt. Joseph Snow in Cal. who came 
from Eastham, and a descendant of the same two brothers. 
He told me they came over in the ship Anne in 1623. Their 
names were Nicholas and John. He says I can find the his- 
tory of the descendants dowm to 1840. I believe Grandfather 
Snow's name was Benj. Do you know what his father's name 
was? I want to trace the family back. Now Louise write 
and tell me how you are and how getting along. 

Payson. 



148 

/ANH MARIA (DAYTON) SNOW, 

(Wife of E. P. Snow.) 
1825-1904. 

Jane M. Dayton was born Aug. 20, 1825, at Granville, 
Washington County, N. Y., the daughter of Abraham Day- 
ton and Harriet B. Taylor, and of the 7th generation in lin- 
eal descent from Wm. Bradford, Governor of the Plymouth 
Colony, who was5 descended from "the right reverend father 
in God," Samuel Bradford, Bishop of Rochester and Dean of 
Westminster. 

Jane Dayton moved with her paraits to Illinois in 1845, 
and married E. Payson Snow, Nov. 24, 1847. There being 
no children, they adopted Edward Payson Siefert, son of Har- 
riet Snow Siefert, in 1863, but he died four years later in his 
seventeenth year. Mr. Snow was a sucessful farmer, nursery 
man and stockraiser and amassed what in those days was con- 
sidered a comfortable fortune. Later in life, when his health 
began to fail, he and his wife travelled a great deal, spending 
much time in the South, Washington, D. C, California and 
New Jersey. He died at Vineland in the latter State on April 
to, 1884, of typhoid fever. 

After the death of her husband Mrs. Snow spent con- 
siderable time travelling in various parts of the United States, 
and on these trips she was accompanied by a niece, Mrs. 
PVank P. Thompson, now of Cloquet, Minn., to whom she 
had given a home at different times since childhood. A se- 
vere illness in Florida finally put an end to- visits in that di- 
rection. In 1 89 1 she travelled extensively in Europe, visit- 
ing Belgium, Holland, Germany. Switzerland, Italy, England, 
France, Scotland and Ireland, and although well advanced in 
years, she endured the various hard journeys with seemingly 
little fatigue and did as much as most of her party in sight- 
seeing and shopping. 

After her return to America she built a handsome home 
in Rockford, III, and furnished it with the beautiful things, 
gathered in twenty-five years of wandering. Here she wel- 
comed her many friends whom she thought she had neglected 
too long. 

She was much interested in charities, especially buildings 
for public benefit. She gave liberally to the Rockford Li- 
brary, donating several valuable paintings ; also to the Sol- 




To face page 148. 

JANE MARIA ( DAYTON) SNOW. 



149 

diers' Memorial and llic Y. W. C. A. Imilding Ccompleted 
since her death), and she furnished a room in the City Hos- 
pital, hesides helping- churches, schofds, etc. These things 
appealed to lier more possibly than individual needs. Her 
name at the head of a subscription list insured success, once 
she became interested. She invariably aroused interest in 
others until the end was accomplished. One of the last acts 
of h.er giving- was the signing of a check, making her a life 
member of a home for aged people in Rcxkford. When 
young people whom she had helped to an education, could and 
did !-cpay her. and they were not few, she would give the 
money to sonie other good work, characterizing it as "the 
money that does good." 

Mrs. Snow's death which occurred at her home Dec. 
6, 1904, was the result of a gradual failing of her strength, 
following upon a severe attack of pleurisy. Her last months 
were filled with thoughts of receiving and welcoming her 
friends, and planning for their entertainment. The bulk of 
her estate, with the exception of a number of legacies, was 
left for the maintenance of a home for aged women at Rock- 
ford. 

Her death occurred just twenty years subsequent to that 
of her husband, and she was buried by his side at Rockford, 
whither his remains had been removed from Vineland, N. J., 
the place of his death. 

Mrs. Snow's will and energy were her chief charac- 
teristics, and many young people took heart to better endeavor 
after noting her exertions in keeping this or that favorite en- 
terprise going. Although confirmed in the Episcopal faith 
many years ago, she helped almost any other church just as 
willingly, and seemed only to want the opportunity. As was 
said during her funeral service, "With her eager, wistful long- 
ing to see and know, what must be her happy experience now, 
with the aeons before her in which to learn the secrets which 
are only revealed to those who have gone where she has gone!" 

Mrs. F. p. T. 

MRS. JANE M. SNOW. 

She was of medium height, and had black hair and blue 
eyes. When a girl, she was spoken of as a beauty, with charm- 
ing manners and coquettish ways. As a woman, she was a 
great reader, keeping up with the times, in politics as well as 



150 

current events. She was a leader in society and entertained 
often at her beautiful home, 706 N. Main, Rockford, 111. She 
was fond of young people, and was especially loved by them. 
She was a prominent club woman, and a member of "The 
Daughters of the Revolution." She travelled a great deal, 
not only in this country, but in Europe, and was very enter- 
taining when speaking of places of interest she had seen. 

She was possessed of unusual business ability, doing 
much to increase the snug fortune left her by her husband, 
Edward Payson Snow. She used a goodly amount of her 
means in furtherance of charitable institutions, and left the 
bulk of her fortune to found an Old Ladies' Home. 

Her will was said to be the largest and most extraor- 
dinary legal document ever offered for probate in Winnebago 
County, Illinois. K. F. B. 



151 

viir. 

HARRIET CROSBY SNOW. 

T822-1892. 

(Ei^iitii child u\ licnr)- J 1. Snow.) 

"Harriet Cnxsby Snow, Henry Holland Snow's second 
daughter and eii,dith child, and granddniig'hter of Benjamin 
Snow, was of medium height and size, had black hair and blue 
eyes :\v.d light complexion. She was very active and alert and 
her motions were quick and her speech rapid, which was true 
of her Ijrother Sulli\-an and her sister Augusta. In features 
she resembled her sister vSeHna and her brother Alexander. 
She was kind, even tempered, very sociable, and intellectual. 

''She. like her sister Angelina, chose domestic employ- 
ment, remaining- at home, and it might be said, in a compar- 
ison, that she gave the best years of her life to the cares and 
duties of the home of her father and mother. 

"On lea\ing the parental roof, she visited at the home of 
her l)rother Payson. near Oregon. 111., and there found and mar- 
ried Charles Siefert, and thereafter her residence was taken 
up and long- continued at Fon Du Lac, Wisconsin." 

Harriet Snow was born Aug. 14, 1822, at Levant, Maine, 
married Charles Morrison Siefert July 4th, 1849. ''^"'^l '^^^cd 
January ig. 1892. at Crook City. South Dakota. 

CHILDREN. 

VUL I. EDWARD PAYSON SIEFERT. b. April 6, 
1850; d. Pepin. Pepin Co.. Wis. 

VIII. 2. CHARLES ERNEST SIEFERT, b. Mar. 6. 
1852. at Madison, Wis. ; m. Edith Morril, at 
Sterling-, 111.. May 10. 1885. 

VIII. 3. GEO. JAMESON SIEFERT, b. Feb. 6. 1854. at 
Madison. Wis. : m. Lizzie Prince at Hough- 
ton, Mich., June 30. 1887. Children; Mau- 
rice Harriet, b. Sept. 20. 1889: Irene Mad- 
deline. b. Nov. 22. 1891 ; Ornilla Marquerite. 
b. Nov. 30, 1893; Charles Morrison, b. Jan. 8. 
T895; d. May i. 1897; Mary Elizabeth, b. 
Mar. 9, 1901. 

VIII. 4. WILLIAM A. SIEFERT. b. Aug. 31. i860, at 
Pepin, Pepin Co., Wis.; m. Marguerite Mc- 
intosh, May I, 1887; <^1- March 14, 190T, Big 
Bottom, So. Dakota. Children : 



152 

William Morrison, b. Feb. i8. 1889; George Er- 
nest, b. Oct. 26, 1891, d. Sept. I, 1897; Charles 
Mcintosh, b. April 8, 1893; Ernestine Harriet, 
b. Nov. I, 1895; Marion Alexander, b. Feb. 
28, 1899. 

3. GEORGE JAMESON SIEFERT. 
(Son Harriet, dau. Henry, Benjamin.) 
I was born at Madison, Wisconsin, February 6, 1854, and 
remained there until the year 1858, when the family moved to 
a small village on the banks of the Mississippi River in the 
same State and called Pepin. We remained there until I 
reached the age of 18 years, when I embarked on the Miss- 
issippi River, sailing between St. Paul, Minn., and St. Louis, 
Mo., on the river steamers, which occupation I follow^ed for 
four years. In the meantime, the family had moved to Fond 
Du Lac, Wis., where father entered into the saddlery busi- 
ness. I went there and entered the employ of my father, and 
remained there until the year 1880. at which time I came to 
Houghton, Michigan, and secured employment in the sad- 
dlery business with one Frank Pummerville, which position 
I filled until the year 1887, when I bought out the business. 
I have continued to conduct the same until the present time. 
The only political office I ever held was that of Village Trus- 
tee, which I held for four successive terms. G. J. S. 




Xi. 










153 

IX. 

ANGELINE DOROTHY SNOW. 

1825-1856. 
■* (Ninth child of Henry H. Snow.) 

Angeline Dorothy Snow, third daughter and ninth cliild 
of Sarah, w ife of llenry Holland Snow, was of medium stat- 
ure, had liglit l)rown hair and large blue eyes, like her brother 
George. She was jolly, jovial, social and intellectual ; a good 
student and sciiolar, yet unlike her sisters Louisa and Augus- 
ta, she cared rather to expend her time and energies with do- 
mestic cares than wkh the irksome tluties of the schoolroom. 
I'h.us she gave aid in tlie homes of her brothers Alexander 
and Payson in Illinois and that of her father in Ohio until 
her marriage to Dr. Stephenson, when a home was estab- 
lished on the wild prairies of Illinois, where now stands the 
little city of Chadwick. 

Like that of lier sister Augusta, wife also of an excellent 
physician. Angelina's life was a short one. The disease wdiich 
destroyed it was diagnosed as dyspepsia. Angeline Snow was 
born at Levant, Maine, in 1825. and died at Chadwick. 111.. 
April 13, 1856. 

CHILDREN. 

IX. I. WILLIAM STEPHENSON, b. Brecksville. O., 
April 30, 1852; m. Ida O. Taylor, Dec. 31, 
1888. Resides at Alpine, California, where he 
is engaged in farming and fruit growing. Chil- 
dren : Lena, b. Sept. 16, 1889, at Monango. N. 
Dak.: Hugh. b. Aug. 13, 189T, at Monango. 
N. Dak.; George, b. Feb. 24, 1895, ^t Alpine, 
Cal. 

DR. NATHAN STEPHENSON. 

Dr. Nathan Stephenson, husband of Angelina Snow, was 
born in Summit County. Ohio, in 18 19, the son of Thomas 
Stephenson. He went to Carroll County. Illinois, in 1852. He 
was a graduate of New York Aledical L'niversity ; was sur- 
geon of the 92d Illinois Volunteer Mounted Infantry, serv- 
ing three years at the time of the Civil War. 

After the war he resided at Thomson, Illinois, where he 



154 

owned a drug store; was examining physician for war pri- 
soners of Carroll County, and practiced his profession till the 
time of his death in 1874. In 185 1 he married Angeline 
Snow, and a son, William, survives his parents. After the 
death of Angeline in 1856, Dr. Stephenson married again, 
and left three sons and two daughters by this marriage. 

Dr. Stephenson died at Thompson, III, July 2, 1874, and 
was buried at Chadwick, 111. 



X. 

SELINA LEONARD SNOW, 

1826-1871. 
(Tenth child of Henry H. Snow.) 

Selina Leonard Snow, fourth daughter and tenth child 
of Sarah, w'ife of H^ry H. Snow, was of medium height 
and size, had light brown hair and rather large blue eyes. She 
was very fair and her features resembled those of her brother 
Alexander. 

She was kind, gentle, sociable and intellectual, naturally 
joyous and happy. She bore the misfortune of ill health from 
early womanhood, with equanimity. She made her home 
mostly W'ith her brothers and sisters and accumulated a little 
property in Iowa which she increased by the aid and advice 
of her cousin, E. W. Stocker, and finally established a home 
near Orange, Cal. Here she died from an operation made 
with the hope of prolonging life. 

Selina Snow was born at Levant, Maine, in 1826 and 
died in California, in 1871, in the 45th year of her age. 




55 
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155 

XI. 

AUGUSTA SNOW. 

1 828- 1 864. 
(Eleventh child of Henry II. Snow.) 

"Augusta Snow was of fine form, medium heij^ht and 
size or rather below, her complexion light, her liair light 
]:)rown, eyes blue and sparkling. She was keenly intellectual. 
She solved the most intricate problems with ease. Her dis- 
position was of the most kindly and sympathetic, and she was 
generous to a fault. She had much pride but was not aris- 
tocratic. She Vv'as joyous, mirthful, vivacious and locjua- 
cious. Tender as to the wounding of her own feelings, she 
never wounded the feelings of others. Like her sister Louisa 
A., and her brothers Alexander and Sullivan, she was inde- 
pendent and self-reliant in high degree. In short, she held 
in combination the best qualities of her mother and her fa- 
ther. 

"Her career was comparatively a short one. She was 
born at Levant, Maine, in 1828. She studied at Richfield 
Academy, Ohio, and at Norwalk, Ohio, with her sister Louisa 
A., and taught at Madison, Wisconsin, and in the High 
School of Cleveland, assisting Andrew Freese. She married 
Augustus P. Knowlton, M. D., in Erie, Pa., and died not 
long afterward in tlie year 1864 at Royalton, Ohio, with- 
out children." 

The picture of Augusta Snow's bright, happy, merry 
temperament that Corwin Snow has drawn in the two pre- 
ceding paragraphs, it is easy to see, is an exact one when we 
read the letter following, written by her in Norwalk, Ohio, 
during her stay in that town. She was twenty-five years old 
at the time. The letter is full of evidence of her kindliness 
and generosity. Indeed, her premature death at the age of 36 
years was the direct result of a manifestation of her unselfish 
disposition, for it was through an impulsive and rash desire 
to pay the last tribute of her friendship over the body of a 
dead friend, that she acquired the venom of the contagion 
which caused her own death shortly thereafter. 



156 

LETTER BY AUGUSTA SNOW. ' 

{Written to some of Russ Snozu's family.) 

NoRWALK, August loth, '55. 
Dear Cousins. 

Perhaps you think it is time for you to receive a letter 
from your wild, romping coz, and perhaps you have hardly 
again thought of her, who used so often to make the house 
"ring again" with her noisy merriment. But he that as it 
may, I have been thinking of you this evening, and so it came 
into my m.ind that I would sit down and converse with you 
a few moments through the medium of the pen, as distance 
denies me the use of my musical organ, which I could use 
most glibly. I assure you I could step into your cozy apart- 
ments thi^ e'\'ening, but the pen must ever be "the tongue of 
the absent." 

I have been courting today, or rather, I have been to see 
how others did it. Several ladies, four, I think, were taken 
up in Fairfield, on the charge of riot. 

The circumstances were these. The ladies' husbands 
were in the habit of going to the tavern of one Mr. Barnum. 
and getting drunk, which rendered them abusive to their fam- 
ilies. Well, these ladies had repeatedly been to said Barnum 
and requested him not to sell their husbands any more liquor 
-—he still continued, however, regardless of their petitions, 
to deal out tlie murderous drink, though he well knew the 
p.iisery he was starting. At length these ladies (and they 
were ladies, too. of th.e first standing) becoming a little des- 
perate went to the cellar of said B and turned the fas- 
cits, I don't know how to spell it, of his whiskey barrels, which 
caused his beautiful zvhiskey to be spilled. At this Barnum 
was very angry and ordered the ladies to be arrested on charge 
of riot. The people here were very much interested in the 
;'ffair. and public sympath}^ went very strongly with the ladies 
— they received as much honor from the Norv/alk people as 
is usually bestowed upon any political or martial heroes — ■ 
who have performed some noble act for their country's wel- 
fare. The court house Avas beautifully decorated with flowers. 
by the ladies of Norwalk — and at noon a sumptuous repast 
was prepared for them at the Mansion House, by order of the 
"Sons of Temperance." T attended the trial in the afternoon, 
it was verv interesting to me, as T had never before witnessed 



i 



157 

a court scene. The house was croudcel willi spectators of 
Ijoth sexes. 

After liearin?^- all the witnesses on b'lth sides, which were 
not a few. Justice Sutton pronounced that the proceedings of 
the ladies did not amount to a riot, that they were discharged. 
On hearing th.is. a "jc/vous shout arose from the assembled 
multitude." and the Norwalk Brass Band conducted the ladies 
in triumph on their liomeward way. I have not time to make 
?Tiany comments on the proceedings as I have already spun 
a pretty long yarn. The ladies took a pretty bold step, and 
one which most ladies would have shrunk from performing, 
but when we consider all the circumstances of the case, the 
abuse, and suffering which h.atl been heaped upon these fam- 
ilies by kind husbands and fathers, made brutal by nun or 
rather by the irhislcry of said Barnum. 1 think we can just 
ify these ladies in adopting any measure to secure peace and 
lianpiness to their families. T hear that similar proceedings 
ha\e been enacted in Akron. 

Aug. 1 6th. 'Tis several days since T commenced this 
scrawl as I have had so much "Deutch" to write of late that 
my leisure moments have been few-. I am very pleasantly sit- 
uated here in a German family, consisting of Herr Obermeyer, 
sein Fran und ein Knaben. 1 find it very pleasant, and not 
half as dutchy as I had feared. I can talk considerable and 
write some, though I am very much puzzled to remember how 
the words are spelled and still more how^ they are put to- 
gether — don't laugh, you have not studied "Deutch" yet — 
when you have, you may laugh at a "poor fellow" who is 
commencing to twist her tongue and brains into unimagin- 
able shapes. The gentleman with whom I am boarding is a 
highly educated man. was a fellow student of Kossuth's at 
Vienna, where he studied five years. He then joined Kos- 
suth's army, and is now a Hungarian fugitive. I hope you 
will excuse this awful scribbling, w'hen I tell you that it is so 
dark that I cannot see to w^ite any better. I will, however, 
strike a light and try to do a little better, though I fear my 
poor ink will not allow me to l^etter it much. 

Tell Orpha I will write to her when I think you have had 
time to read this through — if she thinks she would like to 
hear from me sooner. Tell her to send me the rest of her 



letter, for she only sent me a half a one and hardly that. Short 
and sweet must be her motto, I think. 

If any more letters should be directed to Brecksville for 
me. please forward them here — with the exception of the one 
from Huron, which I have learned was sent there some time 
ago. 

(At right angles across the first page of this letter, Au- 
gusta wrote a long postcript. The occasion referred to pos- 
sibly zcas that of her attendance in court, in the company of 
some young gentleman.) 

On the V\-hole we had a delightful time, i. e., all who had 
as good company as I had. but I have not told yet who m}' 
beau was. Well, I never saw him till the afternoon before 
we started,- when he came down to give me an invitation. You 
have often heard me speak of his brother G. ^V. however — 
and it was he who introduced him to me. He proved to be a 
\'ery pleasant fellow, and I was not sorry to have made his 
acquaintance. I have during my stay here maintained a very 
sober and dignified appearance, but yesterday my mirthful- 
ness would get the upper hand of me and I ran wild as usual 
on such occasions but I was so tired vrhen I found myself 
once more in my own room that I very naturally put on a 
pretty sober face wdiich I am in hopes to preserve for awhile 
at least — Well. well, your patience is by this time completely 
exhausted I am sure, so I will wind up this over-stretched 
scrawl, with a promise to write more briefly next time. 

I want to see you all very much — Aunt Ruth in partic- 
ular — dear good woman, how much I owe her! Now please 
write me very soon and tell me all the news. 

Please excuse the innumerable mistakes which I have 
made for I have not room to correct them. 



159 

XII. 

WILLIAM SULLIVAN SNOW. 

1829-1898. 

(Twelfth child of Henry II. Snow.) 

''Sullivan Snow was given his name, evidently, because 
of many things related by his grandfather of the General by 
that name, with whom he served under Washington. He had 
a wish on reaching manhood for two initial letters in his 
name and chose ''VY" to go with **S" and made his signature 
"W. S. Snow," and said *'W" signified "William." At this 
time, in company with his sister Louisa A., he bought his fa- 
ther's farm in Brecksville, Ohio, 

"To the management of this he added the teaching of even- 
ing Singing-Geography School, and the peddling of notions, 
a-foot, carrying them in tin trunks, aided by a shoulder yoke. 
Thus he supported what of his father's family remained at 
home and accumulated enough to secure passage via New 
York and Cape Horn to San Francisco, California, in 185 1. 
The ocean voyage was made in a sailing vessel. While at the 
Equator a dead calm interrupted the progress of the vessel 
and provisions grew short. All on board were placed on an 
allowance of food, and what water remained grew 'thick and 
ropey.' When at last they were released by wind and rain, 
they eagerly caught water in all manner of means, some using 
blankets. During this trying interval Sullivan had the friend- 
ship of the cook, whom he aided, and fared somewhat better 
thereby. Supplies were secured at Rio de Janeiro. Passing 
out of the Straits of Magellan, the vessel encountered a storm 
raging on the Pacific. The vessel was tossed about mercilessly. 
At one time she was thrown on her side so far over that the 
Captain, standing on the deck, stepped from the deck to the 
upturned side of the raised deck, and standing so, called to the 
Mate, "Will she ever right?" The Mate replied, "Shenever'll 
righi, sir!" But after a while the vessel righted, and the Mate 
cried out to the Captain, "She's all right, sir. All hell can't 
sink her." The vessel was turned about and shot back into 
the mouth of the Straits to await the calming of the winds. 
A call was made at Valparaiso* and San Francisco was reached 
without further incident worthy of note." 

C. R. S. 



i6c 

W. S. SnoAV was born at Levant, Maine, April 21, 1829, 
and died July 20th, 1898, at Cedar Falls, Iowa. 

He was twice mariied, his first wife being- Harriet 
Dwight, who was boin in Hampshire County, Mass., June 3, 
1 83 1, the daughter of Anson Dwight. Their marriage occur- 
red in January, 185 1, at Brecksville, Ohio. Harriet (Dwight) 
Snow died at Blairstown, Iowa, July 13th, 1889, and was 
buried in the same place. 

W. S. Snow was married the second time April 12, 1893, 
to Mrs. Ella H. Sheridan at Blairstown, Iowa. She is now liv- 
ing at that place. 

CHILDREN. 

(W. S. Snow and Harriet (Dwight) Snow.) 

I. NINA BELLE SNOW, b. Aug. 8, 1859, at Kane Twp., 
Benton County, Iowa; m. James W. Hamilton, 
June 8, 1S81. J. W. Hamilton was born April 
II, 1859, at Cornwall, 111., and died Oct. 18, 
1895, ^^ Coggon, Iowa. 

Children : Walhce Snow Hamilton, b. 

July 8, 1888, at Blairstown, Iowa; Harriette 

Carlota Hamilton, b. Mar. 17, 1894, at Cog- 

gon, Iowa. 

Belle (Snow) Hamilton was married a second time Oct. 

4, 1899, at Manchester, Delaware County, Iowa, to Andrew 

J. demons, who was born at Putnam, N. Y., Dec. 27, 1855. 

FLORIDA LETTER. 

The following letter from ex-Mayor W. S. Snow, of 
Blairstown, to his daughter, Mrs. Belle Hamilton, may be 
found of interest to many: 

San FORD, Florida, 
March 9th. 1884. 

My Dear Child: — Although I have been from home but 
a few days — from that climate where the mercury was way 
down below zero, but six days ago, one can hardly realize that 
winter has such a firm grip on you, yet, while here, yester- 
day the mercury stood at 88 at 10 o'clock, p. m., and this 
morning at sunrise, it stood at 70; and still, in sleeping 
in an upper room, with four large windows up all night, we 
were very comfortable with a heavy comfort on our bed, 
tucked in snug about our necks. 







^ 




To face page i6o. 



W 11.1,1AM SUIXIVAN SNOW 



i6i 

Gardens were killed here with the frost in mid-winter, 
so we have nothing in the shape of fresh vegetables but rad- 
ishes, lettuce and cabbage. Cucumbers and pumpkin vines are 
in bloom, and everything is getting a good start since the 
freeze. It was not cold enough to injure house plants in the 
front yards,, and they, together with roses and such shrubs, are 
blooming profusely. I see nothing more showy in a front 
yard than a hybiscus tree, ten feet high, filled with big red 
blossoms, or an orang'e, with its glossy, green leaves, and 
limbs bending down with the weight of its big orange fruit, 
surely nothing in the vegetable kingdom looks nicer or more 
tempting. 

We went to Sanford Grove yesterday, three miles out 
through the pine woods and sand, but before starting, I peeled 
off my flannels, coat and vest, and before going a half mile I 
found my socks were blistering my feet, so I took them off, 
too, and made the trip in good shape. You may think that 
being dressed in a calico shirt, thin pants, boots and hat, is 
"pretty thin" for the 8th of March, but it was all one wanted 
on that day. We found i8 men picking, sorting and boxing 
oranges, at the rate of lOO boxes per day. They sort them 
so as to put all the same sized oranges into each box. For 
gauges they use pieces of six inch board, long enough to reach 
across the top of a basket, with a notch in them, and have them 
marked from 120 to 200 and an orange that will just slip 
through the notch, takes whatever number is on the gauge to 
fill a box; so they don't count them into the boxes, but fill 
them, and mark them according to grade. They showed us 
trees that they told us were six years old from the bud, that 
had from 5 to 6 boxes of oranges on them. They told us 
there were 150 acres in the grove, but I think only a small 
portion of it was bearing. Many of the oranges were injured 
by the freeze, so that they were dying out badly, becoming- 
spongy and worthless. But they are boxing and shipping the 
most of them. They told us they had not been frozen, but 
had stayed on too long, so that the sap had gone back into 
the trees. I believed it then, but have learned that it was the 
freeze, since then. 

After dinner. — Have just been up the lake a mile to 
where old Mellonville once stood. Was in Spears' Grove 
where he said some of the trees had been set 45 years. They 
were sour, wild orange trees, and some over 30 years ago 



1 62 

were budded to sweet oranges. They stand 22 feet apart, and 
their limbs are all locked in together, but Spears thinks they 
bear just as well. They are about as large as the trees in my 
orchard, but don't spread cut so much. He said they had 
picked 2,000 boxes, and were about one-fourth done. Said 
he was shipping to Philadelphia and were netting him $4 per 
box, and they ranged from 126 to 200 in each box. Said it 
was rather late to commence picking, but they would not pay 
him his price, so he held them till they did. I never saw apple 
trees have more weight of fruit on than his orange trees had, 
and there were not 5 bushels of fruit on the ground in his 5- 
acre grove, while right across the road in Doil's Grove, there 
was nearly a bushel under each tree, and he told us it was 
the kind of fertilizer that eich used, which made the differ- 
ence. They are on a nice ridge of ground, from 6 to 8 feet 
higher than the surrounding country, and as good as any I 
have seen in the state, and he uses from $50 to $75 worth of 
fertilizer per acre each year. Part of his old orchard has 
sweet orange roots, and the borers nearly used it up before 
he knew they were there, while the sour stalks were not in- 
jured at all. His fruit was not injured at all by the frost, and 
there were no dry oranges, as there was in Sanford's Grove. 
His orchard being so large and closely set as to be self-protect- 
ing in part, and in part it was protected by the lake, which 
lies right north of it, which is 5 miles wide. Still he said 
water froze near his house over a half inch thick. But his 
oranges are heavy and juicy and uninjured. It looks odd to 
see them picking the fruit just as the trees are coming out in 
bloom, and we saw a lot of trees in Doil's Grove, 5 years old, 
from the seed, having been budded, blooming, full, and not 
over 8 feet high. 

Spears' lemon trees were breaking down with their weight 
of fruit. They were very large, but coarse. Said he did not 
know as he should gather them, as they were too large to be 
saleable. He had just filled a flour barrel with 126 lemons, 
on a special order, so you can judge something about the size. 
We exi>ect to move to-morrow at 9 a. m., but don't 
know which way we will go yet. You need not expect to hear 
from me very regularly after about two days more, as I shall 
be outside of railroads and steam' boat communications. 

Your affectionate father, 

W. S. Snow. 



1 63 

DEATH OF W. S. SNOW. 
(From the Blairstown Press.) 

Mr. Snow was born April 21st, 1829, at Levant, Me., be- 
ing one of a family of 17 children. In 1836 he moved to 
Ohio. He was married in January, 185 1, to Miss Harriet 
Bvvight. and started for the gold fields of California, going 
in a sailing vessel from New York City around Cape Horn, 
arriving there in July of that same year. In 1854 he, with 
five others, journeyed overland and located land inKanetown- 
i-hip, Benton county, Iowa, going to Ohio to spend the win- 
ter, and moving back to Iowa in the spring of '55- He moved 
to Blairstown in 1861. His first wife died July 13, 1889, 
leaving one daughter, Mrs. Belle Hamilton, now residing at 
Coggon, Iowa. His second marriage occurred on April 12, 
1803, when he was married to Mrs. Ella Sheridan, who still 
survives him. 

Mr. Snow's death occurred at Cedar Falls, Iowa, on 
July 20, i8g8, where he had gone to- get medical treatment. 
His funeral took place here on Friday, July 22, 1898, and was 
conducted by Lincoln Lodge, No. 199, A. F. & A. M., of 
which the deceased was a greatly respected member. A large 
number of the friends and neighbors of Mr. Snow were pres- 
ent. 

]\Ir. Snow was highly esteemed by the people of this 
community, and his loss is greatly deplored. During his long 
residence in this county he enjoyed the confidence and respect 
of the people, who valued him as an able and upright man, 
faithful and conscientious in the performance of every pub- 
lic and private duty. His integrity, mental training and 
sound judgment, v/ere early recognized by his fellowmen. 
Throughout his business life he was often appointed or chosen 
to decide and adjust controversies and legal questions arising 
among the people, and he brought to these duties a hign 
sense of justice, and a mind richly stored with information 
derived from wide reading, and close observation that en- 
abled him to discern the right from the wrong, and to ren- 
der a sound and just decision. Many sought his advice, and 
many of our citizens know how useful his counsel has been 
to them. The kindly and social virtues were pre-eminent in 
his life. Good will and benevolence distinguished him as a 
neighbor and a citizen, and numbers of our people will re- 
member him for the aid they have received from his gener- 



164 

ous hand. He greatly loved his home and family, and was a 
kind and affectionate husband and father, ever thoughtful and 
tender of their welfare and happiness. A busy, faithful and 
kindly life is closed, and the m.emory of Mr. Snow and his 
manly virtues and good deeds will long live in the minds and 
hearts of our people. 



Xtilcston Snow. 
1786-1872. 



TILESTON SNOW 

and 

. Nancy Heath 

(married 1815) 



\ 



Ei.izADivTii Payson Snow 

(1817 ), married Dana 

Hamlet, 1839. 

Rb'ss A. Snow 
(1818-1901), married 

Amanda Snow, 1844; 

married Hannah W. 

Freeze. 

Charlotte M. Snow 

(1820 ). married J. 

Bradley Hamlet, 1846. 

Albion K. P. Snow 

(1822 ), married Sarah 

Bumps, 1842, 

Benjamin F. Snow 

(1826- ), married Ruth 

D. Harris, 1851. 

John Milton Snow 

(1830 ), married Delia 

Heath, 1863. 

George J. Snow 

(1832 ). married Roset- 

ta M. Everett, 1856. 



TILESTON SNOW. 

1 786- 1 872. 

(Second Son of Benjamin Snow.) 

Tileston Snow, the second child and son of Benjamin 
Snow, was born May 5, 1786, at St. Johns, Nova Scotia, dur- 
ing the short sojourn that Benjamin made there immecHatcly 
after his resignation from the Continental Army. Tileston 
was married about the year 1815 to Nancy Heath, wdio was 
born at Bridgewater, N. H., May 17, 1790. She was the 
daughter of John Heath, son of Josiah Heath, a veteran of 
the French and Indian War and the Revolution. Their mar- 
riage was solemnized at Atkinson, Maine. Tileston died at 
Lily Pond or Otsego, Minnesota, February 27 or 29, 1872, 
and was buried at Big Lake. His wife died and was buried 
at the latter place September 19. 1874. 

B. F. Snow^ in writing of his father, says: 

Tileston Snow was the first one of the four brothers to 
emigrate from N. H. to Me. When he was 21 years old he 
traveled from Bath, N. H., to Atkinson, Me., on foot, and car- 
ried a two- foot rule (Gunter's scale) in his hand. (The old 
scale is now 93 years old, and is kept as an heirloom in B. F.'s 
family.) He took a farm in Atkinson. At that tim.e there 
was no road from Bangor to Atkinson but a bridle path 
through the woods, which men could follow on foot or "horse 
back." The distance was 30 miles. He was followed there 
by Henry, then Wheelock and finally Russ, who moved to At- 
kinson after the death of their father at the age of about 33 
years. Tileston cleared up and improved this Atkinson farm, 
had good buildings and a fine orchard of some five or six hun- 
dred trees. 

After living in Atkinson about 28 years, he moved to 
Brow^nville, wdiere he lived 21 years, clearing and improving 
two farms. Then at the age of 70 years, he moved to Min- 
nesota, where he improved another farm, and lived on it to 
the time of his death at the age of 86. 

He was w^ell and strong as usual up to very near the 
time of his death. He had a hobby to stand on his head on 
each of his birthdays and he did that up to the time of his 
death. 



172 

At the time of Tileston Snow's birth his parents were in 
Nova Scotia and moved back to Plymouth, N. H., when he 
was two years old." B. F. Snow. 

(Letter from Tileston Snow to Henry Holland Snoiu, son of 
his brother Russ, ivritten April yth, 1864.) 

Lily Pond (Minn.), April 7, 1864. 
Dear Nephezv. 

I received a letter rather flattering to the vanity of an 
old man from Alexander lately which I believe I have an- 
swered, and another from you since, wdiich I will try to an- 
swer. In the first place I would say to you your Aunt says 
that an old woman had the toothache instead of the headache. 
I am glad to hear that that venerable old Patriarch, your 
Father, enjoys his health so well. Try and persuade him to 
come and make us a visit. It would conduce to health and vi- 
tality. You say you shall invite me to live in Ohio, that it is 
too cold in Minnesota. I could not think of it. Should be 
called only a poor dog out there, couldn't bear it. Besides 
our State authorities have offered a premium of two hundred 
dolla,rs and of one hundred for the first and second best essay 
on the advantages of Minnesota as a home for emigrants. 

This country is filling up with Boy babies. Milton's wife 
has one very likely one now. George's wife went to Michigan 
with one last Fall about the time I went to Ohio and came 
back with two fine boys, wdiat do you think of that? Now 
Death is likewise hovering round the place. Old Mrs. Craw- 
ford died last week with a cancer on her leg. Caleb Chase, 
son of old Captain Chase, died this week with consumption, 
contracted in Maine years ago and Payson Heath's wife died 
yesterday with a kind of child-bed fever. But I have been 
favoured. Unlike the man of Uz I have not been touched, my- 
self or family. 

We have no sap weather this year and conclude shall 
make no sugar this season. It is bare ground and warm 
weather. Milton and George are making ties for the Rail- 
road. We have just had our Annual Town meeting and I 
called or rather got the Town Clerk to call upon the copper- 
heads to come forward and take the oath of allegiance, but 
they did not come forward. Suppose they thought it was a 
special name, and so could not come forward. I told an 




To face page 172. 



TlLESTON SNOW. 



173 

agent for the copperheads that it was necessary to qnaHfy 
them for office but could not start them out. 
Well sir. J got out of funds yesterday, so I thought I would 
stop and recruit the old superannuate dclapidated castle with 
a little rest but after snoosing out one whole night, casting 
about, looking round, up and down, hither and thither, right 
and left, and all about, could not hnd much, so I shall have 
to make it out with the scum and dippings of what there is 
left in the old cranium. My sheep and cattle look well and 
are growdng like everything. Old Harper and I believe most 
all the copperheads are caving in. Your Aunt wants a cover 
to her earthen Pot Churn. But I am getting wild. Milton 
has named his boy Mr. Lincoln. Please tell Uncle Russ to 
sit down and write me a good long sentimental letter and do 
not forget to write yourself. However, hope you will not ask 
me to write again and think you will not. You wdll probably 
say no I won't ask the Old fool to write again. But I see the 
copperheads are operating in Illinois again. 

Cursed be those reptiles, Snake or Snipe, 
And all of a Proslavery type. 

But of my Essay on Minnesota for a prize Pd take up my 

pen and I would write in this vein : 

As high on Minnesota's bark we sail. 

Guided by Steam, by Telegraph or Rail, 

Like Moses, moved by Inspirations, 

We are placed to steer and guide the Nations. 

The Mississippi takes its rise in Minnesota 

And from Minnesota to its mouth 

Divides the Land from North to South. 

With Hudson's river and the Lakes, 

Watered with rain and snow in flakes, 

Distill'd in clouds of mist to Heaven 

And this sustains our vegetation. 

Ere long by Steam the People hurl'd 

Will form a circle round the world ; 
! Steamboats plowing, cars a-racing 

After telegraph a-chasing; 
'' Loaded with corn, loaded with wheat, 

Loaded with butter, cheese and meat. 

Loaded with ores of choicest metals, 
' Money bags or copper kettles, 

T'is Minnesota holds the rein. 

Through clouds of dust or fields of grain, 
' Through Minnesota to the Pacific Ocean, 

And wherever else they take a notion. 

But mind ye, from whatever other place we start, 

Superior City will be the Mart. 

Minnesota is the place for Emigration 

There is no better place in God's creation. 

From your Uncle respectfully submitted. 

TiLEsTON Snow. 



174 

(Letter from Tileston Snow to his brother, Riiss Snow, Dec. 

19, 1866.) 

LiiyY Pond, Dec 19 1866, 
Dear Brother. 

The last letter we had from Ohio I think was from Cor- 
win. I answered it but I am getting so old and so blind and 
have so poor an opinion of my compositions of late that I 
neglected to send it. This must be my excuse for not answer- 
ing, tell him. I think I answered one to Holland and one to 
you. The apples came safe to hand except that there was not 
so many as they named in their letters. There was but thirty- 
eight barrels and four of them had lost out one-half of their 
contents. Apples have been pouring into St. Paul this winter 
so that I shall make nothing in the operation except tliat I 
shall get what apples I want to eat by paying for them. The 
freight on the apples was one hundred and forty dollars, or 
about three dollars per barrel which I paid by borrowing the 
money before I took them out of the Depot. I have not 
learned that you made any bargain about the freight or took 
any receipt for the apples. When I bought apples of you three 
years ago they agreed to land my apples at St. Paul for one 
dollar & six cents per barrel. My apples have rotted badly 
this year but I have some of the best of them left yet and I 
want to know, as I have about one hundred dollars which I 
could send you, whether I had better send it in a letter, in 
bank bills or what I had better do about it. What I have sold 
I got six dollars and twenty-five cents for. 

The next I send for I must try to get some that will keep 
better than these did. I have five barrels in the cellar which I 
think are pretty good winter apples, and the transport is too 
distant perhaps to send any or many but winter apples. I 
have one barrel of russets and two of greenings in the cellar. 

23d. 
Do come on here and see us next spring. You can as 
well as not. We have but one life to live and what signifies it? 
To rust out in idleness is not proper. I will show you a cu- 
rious cave just found in Minneapolis or St. Anthony and many 
other things worth seeing. I live in the town of Otsego, 
Wright County, Milton lives at Big Lake, Sherburne Co. 
There was a mistake in marking those apples. Milton is Town 
Clerk and Clerk of the Court in Sherburne County. 



175 

i We r\re living alone 

But fur company arc not >it a loss, 

And though but two in a family, 

Find it very convenient to be my own boss. 

1 o morrow is Christmas day, we shall have a select 
company, attended with roast turkey and the condiments. 

Of Jeff Davis and Johnson what shall I say, 

To me lliey appear like old Jowler and Tray, 

When history tells the story, they will go side by side — 

They are both tarnal rascals, it can't be denied. 

Feb 3, 1867. 

Brother Riiss. You can see I am getting; old and lazy or 
I should have written to you before this time. Was living 
alone half a mile from any neighbor but have plenty of com- 
pany especially Ministers. I suppose they think as old Mrs. 
Matoon did that I am bound for Heaven pretty soon, and 
they can press through the hole after me. Be that as it will, 
I am fond of Ministers' company. I can't write worth a cent 
but I have been breaking my steers this winter, done it all 
alone, and am now gettine up wood with them. I cut mv own 
wood and keep a good fire. We live easy, have plenty of good 
apples and other good things to eat and drink. I have just 
been m.aking a lounge to lop about on. — Milton was here yes- 
terday, said he had a job on hand, it would take him three 
days recording records of Court and that his fees v.'ould be 
fifteen dollars for the same. I have some money I could send 
you but you are rich and are in no hurry for it. I must get 
a draft and send it to you as soon as I can. Tell me if you 
v/ill not come and see us next Spring or Summer. I will keep 
some apples for you and will wait upon you first rate. It is 
only a short journey now and your capacity for writing or 
journeying is far superior to mine. 

TiLESTON Snow. 



o^ 

The following is an account of Tilestoii's residence in 
Brownville, Maine : 

"Tileston Snoz(.> and Moses Brown came to j^.Iaine in the 
first decade of the igth century, and settled the Town since 
known as Brownville; The Town 1>eing named for Moses 
Brown. 

Brownville is beautifully situated among the hills and 
pine woods of Piscataquis County, Maine, whence can be seen 



176 

Mt. Katahdin, in the distance, with Ebeme Pond near by. The 
quarrying- of slate has been the principal industry. 

"Tileston Snow acquired and diligently maintained the 
finest farm in Brownville. 

''The farm was so situated that in years of drought the 
ri\'er could flood a portion of it, and it is related how one year 
Tileston Snow supplied the Town with seed grain free of 
charge, as his was the only farm which did not lose all its 
crops from the drought. This is only one instance which goes 
to explain the great respect and affection in which he was held. 
He married a daughter of John Heath, who lost an arm in 
the Revolutionary war." 

Dded From TiIvEston Snow to Russ Snow. 
June 28, 1 82 1. 

{This conveyance zvas made to Russ Snozv before he 
moved to Atkinson from Bath, N'. H., which he did in the 
early part of 1882, and shoivs that he bought his new home 
of his brother.) 

Know all men by these presents that I, Tileston Snow, of 
Atkinson in the County of Penobscot and State of Maine, 
Gentleman, in consideration of two hundred and eighteen 
dollars paid by Russ Snow of Bath in the*County of Grafton 
and State of New Hampshire, Gentleman, the receipt of which 
I do hereby acknowledge, dO' hereby give, grant, sell and con- 
vey unto the said Russ Snow, his heirs, executors, adminis- 
trators and assigns, one-half of the following Lot of land, sit- 
uated, lying and being in Atkinson, aforesaid, Viz : Lot num- 
l^ered 13 in the 8th range of Lots, in said Town of Atkinson, 
containing ninety-eight acres and one hundred and twenty 
rods more or less, reference being had to the plan and survey 
of said Town of Atkinson by Andrew Strong, Esquire, for 
bounds and description agreeable to the deed given to said 
Tileston Snow by Jacob McCraw, Esquire. S'd Lot of land 
to be divided equally in quantity and quality containing forty- 
nine acres & sixty rods, the same more or less. To have and 
to hold the same to the s'd Russ Snow, his heirs and assigns, 
to his and their use and benefit forever, and I do covenant 
with the S'd Russ Snow that I am lawfully seized in fee of the 
premises — that they are free of all incumbrances — ^that I have 
good right to sell and convey the same to the said Russ Snow 
in manner aforesaid and that I will warrant and defend the 



177 

^i\n\Q to tb.c said Siiuw, his heirs and assigns forever aj^^ainst 
ihe hiwful claims and demands of all persons. In witness 
whereof, I tlie said Tileston Snow hereunto set my hand and 
seal this 28th day of June, in the year of our Lord one thou- 
saml eight huntlred and twenty-one. 

Tileston Snow. (Seal) 
Signed, scaled and delivered in 
presence of us 
Timothy Hibbard 
E. \V. Snow 

State of Alaine 
Penobscot County, ss. June 30, 1821. 

The above named Tileston Snow this day acknowledged 
the above instrument to be his free act and deed before me. 

George: Sherburne. Justice Peace. 

Deed from Tieeston Snow to Russ Snow. 
January 10, 1826. 
Know all men by these presents that I, Tileston Snow, of 
Atkinson, in the County of Penobscot, State of Maine. Yoe- 
man, in consideration of Two Hundred and Seventy-five Dol- 
lars paid by Russ Snow of Atkinson, in the State and County 
aforesaid. Gentleman — the receipt whereof I do hereby ac- 
knowledge — do hereby give, grant, sell and convey unto the 
said Russ Snow, his heirs, executors, administrators and as- 
signs forever, a certain tract or parcel of land lying or being 
situated in Atkinson aforesaid. Viz : one-half of the lot of land 
which the said Russ Snow now lives on, together with the 
house, barn, betterments and improvements which the said 
Russ Snow has made or shall hereafter make on said lot of 
land. The intent and meaning of the thing is that the said 
Tileston and Russ are to own the soil of said lot in quantity 
and quality equally, each one reserving to himself and his heirs 
his betterments and improvements. Said lot being numbered 
thirteen in the eighth range of lots in said Town of Atkin- 
son, containing ninety-eight acres and one hundred and twen- 
ty rods more or less, reference being had to the plan and sur- 
\ey of Andrew Strong, Esquire, for bounds and description 
agreeable to the deed given to the said Tileston Snow by Ja- 
cob McCraw, Esquire. To have and to hold the same to the 
said Russ Snow, his heirs and assigns, to his and their proper 



178 

use and benefit forever, and I do covenant with the said Rnss 
Snow that I am lawfully seized in fee of the premises. That 
they are free of all incumbrances. That I have good right to 
sell and convey the same to the said Russ Snow in manner 
aforesaid and that I will warrant and defend the same to the 
said Russ Snow, his heirs and assigns, forever against the 
lawful claims and demands of all persons. In witness whereof 
[ the said Tileston Snow have hereunto set my hand and seal 
this loth day of January, in the year of our Lord one thdu- 
sand eight hundred and twenty-six. 

Signed, sealed and delivered 
in presence of Ebenezer Heath 
and E. W. Snow. 

Tileston Snow. 
(Seal) 
State of Maine. 
Penobscot County, ss. September 17, 1826. 

The above mentioned Tileston Snow this day acknowl- 
edged the above instrument to be his free act and deed before 
me. E. W. Snow. 

E. W. Snow. 
Justice Peace. 




To face page 179. 

Ki.i/Ar.irni I'AYSON (snow) hamlet. 

Aged go years. 



179 

I. 

ELIZABETH PAYSON (SNOW) HAMLET. 
i8t7 



(First child of Tileston Snow.) 

Elizabeth Payson Snow, named after Benjamin's wife, 
was born at Atkinson, Maine, March 15, 1817. She was mar- 
ried to Dana Hamlet, June 18. 1839, ^^ Brownville, Me. Dana 
Hamlet was born at Brownville, May 13, 1813, the son of Eli 
Hamlet. In 1856 they moved to Minnesota and settled in Ot- 
sego. Dana Hamlet died at Otsego, Jan. 17, 1899, and wa^ 
buried in the same place. 

At the time of the writing of these lines Elizabeth Snow 
Hamlet is still living, at a ripe old age, in Lily Pond or Ot- 
sego. The letter following, written by her brother, B. F. 
Snow, during the preparation of this book, is interesting in 
that it relates to her and explains the engraving of her pre- 
sented here. 

Big Lake, Minn., March 19th, 1907. 
I was over to^ Lily Pond last Friday to help celebrate 
Eliza's 90th birthday. They showed me a letter to her from 
May Snow asking her to write, and to send her picture. I 
write this to explain why she didn't write, and would direct 
this tO' A/lay only I have forgotten her address. Eliza was sick 
at the time that letter came, and is not well now, though a 
good deal better. But I am afraid she is past letter writing, 
though she don't seem to realize it. I borrowed a picture over 
there and will send it along in this. It is the only one she 
has ever had taken. The little girl is her only granddaughter, 
Nellie Hamlet. 

Yours truly, 

B. F. Snow. 

CHILDREN. 

L I. ANNE ELIZABETH HAMLET, b. June 28, 1840, 
at Brownville, j\Ie. ; d. Jan. 15, 1842, at Brown- 
ville. 

I. 2. HELEN AMANDA HAMLET, b. Jan. 2, 1843. at 
Brownville, Me.; d. Oct. 20, 1858, at Otsego, 
Minn. 

L 3. CLARENCE A. HAMLET, b. Oct. 2, 1844, at 
Brownville, Me. 



iSo 

I 4. ELMER A. HAMLET, b. Nov. 23, 1851, at Browii- 
ville, Me.; m. Alma Washburn (widoAv, maiden 
name Alma Bliss), Dec. 19, 1885, at Monticello. 
Minn. She was born at Middleville, Mich., Oct. 
16, 1858, the daughter of George Bliss. Farmer 
by occupation, and resides at Monticello. Chil- 
dren : Dana F. Hamlet, b. Mar. 4, 1891, at Mon- 
ticello. 

[. 5. MILTON TILESTON HAMLET, b. April 19, 1858. 
at Otsego. Minn.; m. Emma Perry, daughter of 
Wm. Perry, Dec. 11, 1880. She was born Dec. 28, 
i860, at Rockland, Me. Resides at Monticello', 
Minn., and is a merchant. Children: W. Rich- 
ard Hamlet, b. Sept. i, 1881, at Otsego, Minn.: 
m. Sarah L. Phillips, April 22, 1905 ; Guy Ham- 
let, b. Aug. 22, 1885; Nellie Hamlet, b. Jan. 21, 
1898. 




To face page i8i. 



RUSS A. SNOW. 



IL 

RUSS A. SNOW. 

1818-1901. 

(Second child of Tileston Snow.) 

Rnss A. Snow, the second "Uncle Russ" in the Snow 
family, was bom at Atkinson, Me., Oct. 10, 1818. He was 
twice inrinied, his first wife being his cousin, Amanda P. 
Snow, daughter of Dr. Eleazer Wheelock Snow. Russ and 
Amanda Snow were married in 1844. Amanda was born at 
Atkinson July 25, 1824, and died there Mar. 13, 1862. W. 
A. Snow, one of the children of Russ A. Snow's first mar- 
riage. sa3'S of his father: 

"He was born in Atkinson in the year 181 8, and died in 
1901. His education, as far as going to school, wound up in 
Charlestovvn Academy. He taught school in his younger days. 
After he was married he worked on the farm in summer and 
taught in winter. He went to Col. in the early fifties, was 
gone one year, came home, worked his farm and dabbled in 
politics, was one of the selectmen in the township, went to 
the State legislature in 1857. In '61 he was one of the lead- 
ers in filling the township's quota of soldiers. He held county 
office, and was one of the county leaders in politics for years 
in the Republican party. He was so' strong in his party belief 
that whatever the party did was right. He was a strong tem- 
perance man. but never voted it unless it w^as party policy. 
] don't think he meant it in that way, for I think he was a 
strictly honest man. He always attended church, and gave 
according to his means. T think he was a believer in religion, 
but as there were some points he could not understand clearly, 
he never united with any church. As far as I can see, he lived 
a good life. The Lord is his judge. I wish the world had 
more men like him." W. A. Snow. 

DEATH OF RUSS A. SNOW. 

(From the Piscataquis Observer.) 

Hon. Russ A. Snow passed away Thursday morning, 
Feb. 7, at the advanced age of 82 years. Until recently he 
had been remarkably well and active for a man of his age. 
His home has alwa)'S been in this town, he having been one 
of its best known and respected citizens. He not only had 



l82 

held offices of trust in town many times, but had also served 
in the Legislature, both as representative and senator. He 
was twice married, his first wife being- Miss Amanda Snow,, 
a sister of the late Dr. E. P. Snow, and the second one, w^ho 
died 13 years ago, was Mrs. Hannah Freese, a sister of the 
late Hon. J. H. Ramsdell. Mr. Snow was the second of a 
family of seven children and it seems somewhat remarkable 
that all the rest are yet living. One brother, Albion Snow, 
lives in Brownville, and the other three brothers and two sis- 
ters live in the West. Six children survive him, Will Snow 
and Mrs. George Ramsdell of South Dakota, Edv^'in Snow of 
Wakefield, Mass., Mrs. G. D. Lyford of this place, and the 
tv/o youngest sons, Charles and Herbert, who have always 
lived on the home place with their father. There are also 
three step-children, vSamuel Freese and Mrs. George Theron 
Van Voorhees of California, and Frank J. Freese of this place. 
The funeral was Sunday P. M.. Rev. W. A. Meservey officiat- 
ing, only the people in the immediate vicinity being able to 
attend owing to the weather and conditions of the traveling. 
Nowhere except in the family circle will the deceased be more 
missed than in tlie church, as during- nearly 30 years of the 
v.'riter's acquaintance with him, he was seldom absent from 
the Sunday morning service, and always gave according to 
l.is means towards the support of the churches of the place. 

LETTER BY RUSS A. SNOW. 

(Written to his Cousin H. Holland Snow, son of Russ, after 

whom Russ A. was nam.ed.) 

Atkinson, Sept. 3d, 'yy. 
Dear Cousin Holland. 

They tell me I owe you a letter. Be that as it may, I 
am so fond of receiving letters from my friends that I pro- 
jjose to put myself to the task of writing, hoping to draw out 
an answer. Believe, I am the most detestable correspondent 
in the v.'orld. Hav'nt written even to a brother in the last two 
years as I remember. But am now going to turn a new leaf. 
How long think you it will remain turned? Now, Cousin 
H , what are you doing, having, being? Doing I sup- 
pose just what all good quiet men like youself would be likely 
to do, dealing justly, loving mercy and walking humbly be- 
fore men. 



i83 

You remember when you \ isilc\l ;is, 1 was a very con- 
venient sort of an inxalid, just sick enough to f(et '[•id of most 
all manual labor. Have been gradually improving ever since, 
with a fair prospect, should I live out the appointed time and 
continue to improve in like ratio. I shall be able to hail 
Charon's water craft in the full tide of vigorous old manhood. 

The relatives are all well here at present. The boys are 
tloing the farm work, Fannie teaching her second school. We 
have had it very v/et here for the last few weeks, potatoes 
rotting some, late wheat rusting. We had the luck to sow 
early mostly ; a very good crop the result. 

When John came home he told us we were sure of a visit 
from some of you western cousins in course of the summer. 
We have been "watching and waiting" and hoping we should 
realize the truth of his statement, but have waited in vain. 
Cousin Owen talked of coming, why didn't he? Your daugh- 
ter Alay and others. It is'nt too late yet, but best visiting time 
is passing away. Now if you and Owen, Alex and wives 
would just take it into your heads to come in a body, wouldn't 
we go in for a good time generally. Come to stop a couple 
of months. Aug. is the best month to start on. We'd visit 
everything north of 45° 30' even to searching up relics of Sir 
J. Franklin. 

Perhaps you may say return the visit we have already 
made and think at the same time 'tis less expensive to re- 
ceive than to make visits when one has to gO' 1000 miles to 
do it. but if you persist in that, we'll put a new song in your 
months when we do' go to see you. 

What about Hayes ? Do you find a better President than 
you expected? I feel very much inclined for one tO' let him 
alone. Some one says, "You must hurry or the mail will go," 
SO I W'ill say good bye at present. 

With the very best of good will to all the Friends, I re- 
main Yours very truly, 

R. A. Snow. 

H: * * * * * 

Herbert P. Snow, one of Russ A. Snow's children, by his 
second marriage, in writing of his father, says : 

"Russ A. Snow was educated at the Academies in 
Charleston and Foxcroft, Me., and fitted himself for educa- 
tional v.'ork. Afterward he was enjraofed in teachinjr school 



i84 

for twenty years. At the end of that time he turned his at- 
tention to agriculture, and for a period of thirty years culti- 
vated a farm of between three and four hundred acres. Po- 
litically Mr. Snow has been a Republican since the formation 
of the party and for years was Chairman of the Republican 
Town Committee. He served as Selectman for some twelve 
years, being Chairman of the Board for the greater part of 
that time. For many years he was a member of the School 
Board and Supervisor of schools. He has been Moderator at 
town meetings many times ; was County Commissioner for six 
years, being the Chairman for two years; and he represented 
his district in the Legislature of 1858. In the Legislature he 
served on the Education Committee, and was instrumental in 
securing the passage of the bill providing for the establish- 
ment of Normal Schools. He was connected with the Pat- 
rons of Husbandry, was a Good Templar for many years, and 
was a regular attendant at church." 



i85 

LETTERS BY AMANDA P. SNOW. 
(First wife of Russ A. Snow.) 
The first of these letters, written by Amanda P. Snow, 
daughter of Dr. E. W. Snow, to her cousin H. Holland Snow, 
some seven years before the Civil War, is a bright, sprightly 
epistle, and is said, by those who profess to know, to be highly 
characteristic of the merry lady who penned it. We can re- 
gard it therefore as a fortunate find, and it might be remarked 
in passing that the subsequent Amandas of the family all 
seem to be possessed of the happy, cheerful disposition that is 
.'ittributed to tlie Doctor's daughter. 

Atkinson, May ig, 1854. 
Cousin Holland: 

I w-as highly gratified to receive your humorous letter, 
bringing the general intelligence of your health and prosper- 
ity and of Owen's convalescence and return to labor. What 
a pity that so trifling a responsibility should overcome him 
and cause his friends so much anxiety. May he not soon have 
a relapse but may you very soon have a little attack of the 
same disorder just to teach you a lesson. 

You ask me to write. What will you have, a chapter on 
science, morals and religion, or a dissertation on potatoes, ba- 
bies and domestic affairs? The subject of babies interests me 
most and as you lords of creation have decided that woman's 
province is among the babies, I will first tell you about ours. 
You tell me your wife's name is Mary, a very poetical and 
a ver}^ prett}' name. If she is half as pretty as her name I 
fear in the absence of a real baby, you will make one of her. 
We have a little chubby cheeked girl of four years of the same 
nanie with the addition of Dorcas. Helen has one named Mary 
Wheelock. Edwin has one called Alice Mary, so you see we 
are very partial to the name. Then we have a charming baby. 
Call her Anne Elizabeth. Russ, the best fellow in the world, 
is in the field plowing with horses and Charles Carroll and 
Austin Willey, smart little fellows as need be, are riding the 
horses. 

Speaking of cold weather, we have just enough of it here 
to give strength to the body and vigor to the intellect. It must 
have been some other place where the children freeze to death 
so soon after they are born. By the way. Imw deep is the mud 



i86 

with you? Deeper than the snows of our more northern 
clime? And how near do you Hve to the place where chil- 
dren some times shake to death with chills and fever and even 
children of a larger growth have to be hooped to prevent 
shaking to pieces, resembling more the aspen than the sturdy 
oak. You may have forgotten where we live. I will refresh 
your memory a little. It is way down east where they raise 
men instead of pigs, where we have beautiful sleigh rides 
while others are wading in the mud, where the sun rises in 
the fore part of the day, not waiting till honest folks should 
be abed. 

Bood bye till I can think of something else while I get 
up the dinner. I am going to have a nice veal soup. I wish 
you and Mary could have a taste. Can she make good soup? 
You say she can't scold. I hope she can cuff your ears when 
you need it. a little easy I mean. 



Sunday: Russ, Cousin Elizabeth and I have just re- 
turned from meeting. Heard a good sermon and saw all the 
folks. Also Helen and husband, Edwin and wife. Mother 
is well, enjoys herself pretty well and stays with Helen mostly. 
We were sorry she had not the courage to make you a visit 
last summer, though we could hardly have spared her long 
enough. When Russ and I go we will take her along with 
us. I am afraid that good cheese will be all gone before that 
time. Can't you come and bring some? 

We want to see Charlotte and Alexander and all of you. 
Cousin Lizzie has just come in. Says she will write a note 
next time. She teaches school in town, gets her three dol- 
lars a week and is contented and happy. Uncle Tileston's 
folks are well. Flavel has two children, Charlotte one, Eliza 
three. Milton and George are in Minnesota. Our neighbor 
Daniel Brown and family have started for that same place. 
Quite a number aiming that way. 

Russ seems perfectly contented since he returned from 
California. Thinks there is no place like home. 

From your Cousin Amanda, 
Please write again. Tell all the news, all the particulars, what 
you are all doing, what going tO' do, where is Louisa, what 
does Uncle Russ and Aunt say, how does old Father Time 
use them, does age sit lightly on their shoulders, how does 



i87 

Uncle Henry make it. Uncle Stocker's folks, what they are 
up t(i, wiicn will }-(m ha\e a general muster of all relatives in 
Ohio? Let us know so that we may be there, too. My habit 
of carrying on so many occupations at a time will account 
for mistakes. 

* * H« * * 

Atkinson, Jan. 25th, 1862. 
Cous'm Holland, 

Pay as you go is a favorite theory of mine, and I find 
'when I neglect to live up to my motto, a whole troop of the 
progeny of that prolific and wicked little thief of time, called 
procrastination, on the alert to pilfer every leisure moment, 
tintil I find myself at the end of the week with less time and 
inclination to answer letters than when I first receive them. 

I therefore seat myself today to answer yours received by 
yesterday's mail. 

You speak of the old farm school house, etc. The old 
farm is not much changed since you left, but you would find 
the school house filled with something entirely nev/ — at least 
to you — nothing less than from forty to fifty little human bi- 
l>eds — children, if not grandchildren of your former school- 
mates at the old north school house. We send four pretty 
good scholars. 

Carroll calls himself master of our hardest text book in 
arithmetic — Greenlcaf's New National. You say Corwin and 
Louise are teaching (Charlotte's children I suppose) verily 
time flies, but leaves its mark. Russ is teaching the corner 
school this winter for the tenth time, has a troublesome school 
of large boys; is first selectman with plenty of town paupers 
to look out for — so with anxiety for the country generally his 
mind is pretty fully occupied. Am not much of a politician 
but feel that great injustice was done Fremont and hope Ohio 
will not serve Ben Wade a meaner trick. I think the Snows 
are not a very warlike race for I don't know of one from this 
Vv'ay or any of the other states going. I guess you had better 
go and stir them up a little. I am getting impatient. Quite 
a number of companies from this way have gone. 

All the letters I get from Ohio are what you write me. 
Lizzie Stocker used to write me often but T have not had a 
letter for years from her; I don't even know where she is. 



i88 

Mother lives with Helen, her health is not g-ood, but is able 
to stir about house some; she is troubled with palpitation of 
the heart. Helen has three children, her youngest is about six 
years old, our youngest is coming three; he is just naughty 
enough to come and blot my letter. Edwin has a good deal 
of practice and meets with success generally. He has a nice 
little wife and two pretty girls that think a great deal of her. 

Timothy Hibbard and family are well, they have five 
children — lost one — they make a good living, still he is always 
pleading poverty. Uncle David frequently writes me; he 
seems to be prospering. They have no children and he says 
if he can sell there he shall come this way into a more fruit- 
ful country. Uncle Tileston thinks there is no place like Min- 
nesota ; he raises great crops, is well off and about as smart 
as any of the young men I should think by his writing ; he does 
most of his own farming work. Milton, George and Eliza 
and Hibbard are there ; the rest are all this way. 

We have had a pleasant winter so far and have now an 
abundance of snow — that I like. I can't think of another 
thing to say only that we want to see you all and hope you 
and Mary will visit us some day. It seems as though some 
one of you might come anyhow. 

Please give my love to all enquiring friends. Kiss the 
little ones for me. Amanda, 

Write again. 




To face page 189. 

EDWIN VVHEELOCK SNOW, 



i89 

CHILDREN OF RUSS A. AND AMANDA SNOW. 

(Son of Tileston, and (laughter of Dr. E. \V. Snow.) 

11. J. CHARLES CARROLL, b. Nov. 5, 1845. at Atkin- 
son, Me.; d. Mar. 4, 1864, at Alexandria, Va., 
while serving as a soldier in the Civil War. 

IL 2. WILLIAM AUSTIN, b. Jan. 13, 1848, at Atkinson, 
Me.; m. Josephine Hanson in 1875. 

II. 3. DORCAS MARY, b. Jan. 15, 1850, at Atkinson, Me.; 
m. George D. Lyford, Nov. 26, 1873. 

ANN ELIZABETH, b. Oct. i, 1854. at Atkinson, 
iMe. ; m. George B. Ramsdell, May i, 1871. 

JOHN MILTON, b. Mar. 12. 1857, at Atkinson, Me. ; 
m. Rosa E. Clark, April 28, 1887; d. May 18, 
1894, at Atkinson. 

EDWIN WHEELOCK, b. May 31, 1859, at Atkin- 
son, Me.; m. Abbey S. Gould, Nov. 10. 1881. 

HARRY OZRO, b. Mar. 13, 1862, at Atkinson, Me., 
d. June 7, 1865, at Dover, Me. 

2. WILLIAM A. SNOW. 
(Son of Russ A., Tileston, Benjamin.) 

William A. Snow was born at Atkinson, Me., Jan. 13, 
1848, and married Josephine Hanson at Atkinson, in 1875. 
His wife was born at Atkinson, Nov. 6, 1856, the daughter 
of Charles Hanson. W. A. Snow has resided at Canova, So. 
Dakota since 1885, where he is engaged in fanning. 

The following is a short letter written by W. A. Snow 
to Minabel Snow during the busy summer season of 1901, 
when this genealogy was first being developed, and in which 
he refers to the sketch of his father printed herein before: 

Canova, Aug. 4, 1901. 

Dear Cousin. I should like to write something of 
Father's life, but don't seem to get at it. I expect you are 
doing most all the work there is to be done. We are enjoy- 
ing life here in sunny Dakota wonderfully this year. At last 
Dakota has stood the drought first rate. We shall get some 



II. 


4. 


II. 


5- 


II. 


6. 


n. 


/• 



rgo 

corn and a good deal of wheat. I don't believe you can tell 
how much that will be to the acre. 

Respectfully yours, 

W. A. Snow. 
My wife found something that I had written a few weeks 
ago. Will put it in. 

CHILDREN, 

2a. Fred Russ, b. May 5, 1876, at Atkinson, Me.; m. Fan- 
nie Hutchinson, Aug. 26, 1905. 

2b. Frank F., b. May 3, 1879; m. Ethel Ramsdell, Dec. 11. 
1903. 

2c. Eugene H., b. April 6, 1881 ; m. Ohve Taylor, July i,. 
1906. 

2d. Annie A., b. Nov. 28, 1884; m. Earl Countr)a-nan, July 
26, 1905. 

2e. Henrietta, b. April 12, 1890. 

2f. Sarah, b. Oct. 6, 1893. 

2g. AeicE, b. July 29, 1896. 



3. DORCAS MARY (SNOW) LYFORD. 
(Dau. Russ A., Tileston. Benjamin.) 
Dorcas Mary Snow was born at Atkinson, Me., Jan. 15, 
1850, and was married at the same place Nov. 26, 1873. to 
George Dallas Lyford, a respected and prosperous farmer. 
Mr. Lyford was born at Atkinson. September 6, 1845, the son 
of Byley Lyford. The Lyfords at the present time occupy the 
"old Snow place" in Atkinson which in the first instance was 
the home of Russ Snow, third son of Benjamin, and was the 
home from whence he set out in 1835 to purchase a new one 
in Ohio. The writer was fortunate in being able tO' visit this 
place in the spring of 1907, the scene of his grandfather's birth 
and early boyhood, and he will not soon forget the warm, 
kindly greeting of ''Cousin Dorcas,'' whom he had never seen 
before, her friendly animated speech, or the lively interest 
that she appeared to take in the history of the Snow family, 
and somehow or other he gained the impression that in tem- 
perament she must be very like her mother Amanda, the Doc- 
tor's daughter. 

children. 
3a. Walter Freeman Lyford, b. Dec. i, 1875, at Atkin- 



191 

■• sen, Me.: m. Bertha E. Ginn. Dec. 15. iQOO. She 

was born at Vinalhavcn, Me., May 15, 1875, the 
dans'hter of Geo. P. Ginn. Walter F. Lyford is a 
(h'nii«;ist and resides at Vinalhaven. Children : By- 
ley Frances Lyford, b. Sept. 4^ 1903 ; Dorothy Ginn 
-Lyford, b. April 13, 1906. 

3b. Grace Amanda Lyford, b. Mar. 15, 1883, at Atkinson; 
m. Edward B. Lyford. May 4, 1905. He was born 
June 7. 1883. Children: Norma Janice, b. Mar. 18, 
1906. 

3c. Harriet May Lyford, b. Sept. 21, 1884. at Atkinson. 

'id. Katie Belle Lyfokd. b. Oct. i^. 1886, at Atkinson. 



4. ANN ELIZABETH (SNOW) RAMSDELL. 
(Dau. Russ A., Tileston, Benjamin.) 

Ann Elizabeth Snow was born at Atkinson, Me., Oct i, 
1854, and was married to George B. Ramsdell of the same 
place. May i. 1871. He was born there Jan. 7, 1847, ^^"^^ son 
of John H. Ramsdell. The Ramsdells have resided at Canova, 
So. Dakota since 1883, where Mr. Ramsdell is a merchant and 
farmer. 

children. 
4a. Blanche Ramsdell, b. May 3, 1881, at Greene, Iowa; 

m. F. J. Miller, Dec. 24, 1900. He is a farmer in 

So. Dakota. Children: Robert Y. Miller, b. Sept. 

20, 1901, at Pearl S. D. ; Donald L. Miller, b. Feb. 

22, 1903, at Pearl, S. D. 
4b. Ethel P. Ramsdell, b. Sept. 25, 1883, at Greene, 

Iowa; m. Frank F. Snow, Dec. 11, 1903. 
4c. Myrtle S. Ramsdell, b. May 20, 1885, at Canova, S. D. 
4d. Ellen A. Ramsdell, b. Aug. 11, 1892, at Canova, S. D. 



5. JOHN MILTON SNOW. 

(Son of Russ A., Tileston, Benjamin.) 

John Milton Snow was born at Atkinson, Me., Mar. 12, 
1857, and married Rosa E. Clark, the daughter of Edwin W. 
Clark. April 28. 1887. John settled near his father's farm and 
died at the age of 37 years on May 18, 1894. His death oc- 
curred at Atkinson. He was musical and an excellent violin- 



ig2 

ist. His widow married again, her second husband being 
Alonzo Philpott. John Snow had no children. 



6. EDWIN WHEELOCK SNOW. 
(Son of Russ A., Tileston, Benjamin.) 

"Edwin Wheelock Snow, fourth son of Russ A. and 
Amanda Snow, was born in Atkinson, Piscataquis Co., Maine, 
May 31, 1859, and received his education in the pubhc schools. 
In the year 1881 (Nov. loth) he was united in marriage to 
Abby Gould, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rufus B. Gould, 
born at Atkinson, Aug. 5, i860. In the fall of 1884 they 
moved to Massachusetts, and the following year Mr. Snow 
entered the employ of Smith and Manning, a large retail 
grocery firm in Andover, Mass., with whom he continued un- 
til the fall of 1889, wben he moved to Wakefield, Mass. En- 
tering into partnership with a Mr. Smith in the grocery and 
provision business and a few months later buying out Mr. 
Smith's interest, he continued in this business alone until his 
health failed, when he gave up business in 1902 and went to 
Alpine, California, where he now resides and is conducting a 
successful business for a large wholesale grocery firm. In 
politics Mr. Snow has always been a Republican, being at the 
present time Central Committee-man of this precinct, clerk of 
the Board of School Trustees, Librarian of the Alpine Pub- 
lic Library, and Vice President of the Alpine Literary Society. 
He has always identified himself with all matters of public 
interest and welfare." A. G. S. 

CHILDREN. 

6a. Jessie May Snow, b. Oct. 29, 1889, now attending Nor- 
mal School. 
6b. LoTTA Belle Snow, b. July 11, 1895, studying music. 
6c. Helen Gould Snow, b. July 6, 1902. 




To face page 193. 



CHARLKS CARROLL SNOW. 



193 

HANNAH W. (FREESE) SNOW. 

(Second wife of Russ A. Snow.) 

Amanda Snow, Russ A, Snow's first wife, died March 
13, itS62, and for his second wife, he married Hannah W. 
Ramsdell Freese, the widoAv of Samuel Freese, and the daugh- 
ter of Samuel Ramsdell. She was born March 10, 1829. and 
by her first marriage had three children : Samuel, Frank J. 
and Fanny W. Freese. 

CHILDREN. 

(Of Russ A. Snow and Hannah \V. Freese.) 

H. 8. AMANDA P. SNOW (named after Russ A. Snow's 
first wdfe), b. June 21. 1863, Atkinson, Me.; 
d. Sept. 21, 1874. 

n. 9. CHARLES CARROLL (named after Russ A. 
Snow's first child by his first wife), b. Jan. i, 
1865, at Atkinson, Me.; m. Nellie M. Freese. 
May I, 1887. 

H. 10. HERBERT PAYSON SNOW, b. June 13. 1870, 
at Atkinson, Me. ; m. Minnie E. Campbell, Dec. 
25, 1888. 

9. CHARLES CARROLL SNOW. 

(Son Russ A., Tileston, Benjamin.) 

Charles Carroll Snow% Russ A. Snowy's second son by 
that name, was born at Atkinson, Me., Jan. i, 1865, and mar- 
ried Nellie M. Freese, May i, 1887. She was born at Ex- 
eter, Me., July 10, 1 87 1, the daughter of New^ell Freese. An- 
drew Freese. the eminent educator, who was long identified 
with the public schools of Cleveland, Ohio, was her great un- 
cle. Charles Snow is a successful farmer and together wdth 
his brother, Herbert Payson Snow, occupies a double house 
on the farm in Atkinson which formerly belonged to their fa- 
ther. 

CHILDREN. 

9a. Maude E. Snow, b. March 13, 1889, Atkinson. 
9b. Russ A. Snow. b. Nov. 19, 1892, Atkinson. 
9c. Aubrey H. Snow;, b. May 4, 1904, Atkinson. 



7 



194 

lo. HERBERT PAYSON SNOW. 
(Son Russ A., Tilestoii, Benjamin.) 

Herbert Payson Snow was born at Atkinson, Me., June 
73, 1870, and married Minnie Estelle Campbell, Dec. 25, 
1888. She was born at Medway, Me., June 23, 1871, the 
daughter of William Henry Campbell. Herbert P. Snow is 
a pleasant, earnest man, and is in business with h.is brother 
Charles. They live with their families under one roof on 
their father's old farm and by energy, industry, honesty and 
good judgment have prospered well. They have dealt in 
lumber, fruit and cattle, besides transacting the ordinary busi- 
ness of the farm, and occupy a respected position in their 
communit)'', taking an interest in local and general affairs, 
and doing their share in the transaction of town and county 
business. 

CHILDREN. 

loa. Karl Caaipbkll Snow, b. Jan. 7, 1890, Atkinson, 
lob. Lisle McDougal Snow, b. June 29, 1893, Atkinson. 
IOC. Fannie Freese Snow, b. Mar. 30, 1897, Atkinson; d. 

Sept. 14, 1901. 
lod. Edwin Payson Snow, b. Aug. 30, 1902, Atkinson. 



'T 'r -f* ^ 'T 



Hannah W. (Freese) Snow died at Atkinson, April 2, 
1 888. Of her three children by her first marriage, Samuel 
W. and Frank J., are dead and the third, Fanny F., is the 
wife of G. T. VanVoorhees, M. D., of Tehachapi, Kern Co., 
Cal. 




To face page 194. 



HERBERT PAYSON SNOW. 



195 

LETTER BY FANNY F. VANVOORIIIU-.S. 

Tehaciiapi, Cal., March 7, 1907. 
Dear Cousin May: 

Your letter of Feb. 25 was received in due season, you 
ha\'ing the correct adch^ess. I am sure your story and pic- 
ture book of the Snow family will be very interesting^ and per- 
haps more prized by coming- generations than by the present 
ones. I have a copy of the Freese family History issued 
nearly a year ago and we prize it very highly, 

I do not know that I can give you anything of interest 
connected with the Maine branch of the family. I have been 
?way from home since 1889, having visited only once during 
that time, during my vacation in the summer of 1897. 

My mother, Hannah Hamilton Ramsdell, was born in 
Orono, Me.. Mar. 10, 1829, and died in Atkinson, Maine, 
April 2, 1888. I am not sure of the date of her marriage to 
father Snow, but I think 1862. They had three children, 
Amanda Payson, Charles Carroll and Herbert Payson. Char- 
ley and Herbert are living, and own jointly the old farm, in 
a double tenement house, and are smart business men of the 
strictest uprightness in all their dealing. They will give you 
data of their families. 

I presume Edwin of Alpine has sent you the facts and 
dates of his immediate family. I think it a fact worth men- 
tioning that his life was saved by leaving Greenwood, Mass., 
and coming to Alpine, San Diego Co.. Cal., in the fall of 1902. 
He was given up by physicians there and told his only hope 
was a change to Calif, and that he might not live to reach the 
Pacific coast. His brave little wife sold their home and house- 
hold furnishings, including many things dear to her heart 
from a lifetime's association. In two weeks' time they were 
on their wa}'. She had a baby in her arms at that time. Helen 
Gould, Lotta about 5 years of age. and Jessie. 9 or 10. Ed. 
began to gain as soon as he arrived. In a short time was car- 
ing for a small vineyard and in about eight months after ar- 
riving was taking full charge of a general merchandise store 
at Alpine Center, where he has been in charge since and told 
me when I visited them a year ago that he had never lost a 
day on account of his health. Their two younger children are 
as full of music as a honey-suckle is of honey. Helen carries 



190 

most aity tune by ear at two and Lotta plays by ear at five. 
Ed's wife has a beautiful clear soprano, her family being mu- 
sical on both father's and mother's sides as well, as you, of 
course, know. 

Ed's wife is a most estimable and lovable woman, fuO 
of sympathy for all and possessing great strength of char- 
acter. 

I am anticipating a visit to my old home this summer, 
spending most of the time with my twO' half brothers, my 
nearest and dearest kin, with their children and my brother 
Frank's family, my own brothers being both dead. Frank, 
only two years older than myself, I mourn almost as I did my 
dear, sweet mother, but our hearts are all made lonely by sep- 
arations. 

My husband. Dr. George Theron VanVoorhees, is from 
an old Holland Dutch family, which settled in New York 
state in 1660. He has his family History from the year 1600, 
1 wonder if yoiU"S dates back so far? 

Wishing you all success with your family story and pic- 
ture book and regretting I cannot furnish you with more ma- 
terial I am most 

Sincerely and with love, 

Fanny Freese VanVoorhees. 

A cute saying from Helen Gould Snow, when I visited 
them last winter — After being silent for some time, she turned 
to her mama, and asked, "Which do' you love most. Mama, 
Aunt Fanny or the little heifer?" 

She evidently could not quite decide in her mind which 
was dearest to her. 



197 

IIL 

CHARLOTTE M. (SNOW) HAMLET, 
1820 . 

(Third child of Tileston Snow.) 

Charlotte M. Snow, third child of Tileston Snow, was 
born at Atkinson, Maine. March 31, 1820, and was married 
to J. Bradley Hamlet at Brownville, Me., Dec. 14, 1846. He 
was born at Brownville, March 4, 1824, the son of Eli Ham- 
let. He was a farmer, died Mar. 16, 1901, and is buried at 
Monticello, Wright County, Minnesota, where his widow 
still resides. Charlotte M. Snow and her sister Elizal>eth 
Payson, maiTied brothers, Elizabeth having been the wife of 
IDana Hamlet. 

CHILDREN. 

in. I. FLORA M. HAMLET, b. Oct. 26, 1847, Brown- 
ville, Me.; m. James P. Dougherty, Dec. 1866; 
d. Oct. II, 1869, at St. Cloud, Minn. 

HL 2. LEWIS B. HAMLET, b. Aug. 12, 1850, Brown- 
ville, Me.; m. Lizzie Harmon, June 28, 1873, 
Monticello, Minn.; d. Nov. 15, 1901. 

HT. 3. FLA VILLA HAMLET, b. Sept. 17, 1852, Brown- 
ville, Me. ; d. 1854. 

HI. 4. AROLINE F. HAMLET, b. Sept. 1854, Brownville, 
Me.; m. Luther G. Davis, Aug. 5, 1873. 

HL 5. WILLIAM D. HAMLET, b. Aug. 8, 1856, Brown- 
ville, Me.; m. Delia C. Baker, Aug. 30, 1884. 

III. 6. HELEN AMANDA HAMLET, b. Dec. 28, 1859, 
Brownville, Me.; m. Wm. W. Heath, Aug. 12, 
1876. 

5): * * * * 

I. FLORA M. (HAMLET) DOUGHERTY. 
(Dau. Charlotte M., Tileston. Benjamin.) 
Flora M. Hamlet was born at Brownville, Me., Oct. 26, 
1847, ^"<J was married to James P. Dougherty, a stage driver, 
in December. 1866. She died at St. Cloud, Minnesota, Oct. 
II, 1869, and was buried at Otsego. Mr. Dougherty died 
Jan. 12. 1904. and was buried at Monticello, Minn. 



CHILDREN. 

la. Charles P. Dougherty, b. Dec. 12. 1867, Otsego, 
Minn.; m. Elsie Hare, Jan. 14, 1898. Children: 
Earl Dougherty, b. Elk River, Minn., igoo. 

lb. James B. Dougherty, b. Oct. 15, 1869. St. CloucU 
Minn. ; m. Lizzie Schaumber, Mar. 25. 1895. Chil- 
dren : Laurence H., b. Dec. 27, 1895, Otsego, Minn., 
Ned ]., b. Feb. 5, 1898, Otsego; d. March 29, 1898, 
Philip W., b. May 23, 1899, Otsego. 



2. LEWIS B. HAMLET. 
(Son Charlotte M., Tileston, Benjamin.) 
Lewis B. Hamlet was born at Brownville, Me., Aug. 12^ 
1850, and married Lizzie Harmon June 28. 1873, at Monti- 
cello, Minn., where he now resides and is engaged in farm- 
ing. She was born at Machias, Me., April 6, 1854, the daugh- 
ter of James Harmon. Lewis B. died Nov. 15, igoi, and is 
buried at Monticello. 

CHILDREN", 

2a. Alvia C. Hamlet, b. Dec. 12, 1874. Big Lake, Minn. ; 
m. Lizzie Murphy, Nov. 25, 1903. Children : Theo- 
dore Lewis, b. Sept. 20, 1905 ; Edith Marie, b. Feb. 
13, 1906. 

2b. Leroy Hamlet, b. Feb. 14, 1877, ^'^S Lake; m. Ethel 
M. Guptie, Nov. 22, 1905. 

2c. Minnie E. Hamlet, b. Oct. 5, 1879, Big Lake. 

2d. Myrtle H. Hamlet, b. Aug. 24, 1881, Elk River. 
Minn.; m. J. Lyman Garrish, May 20, 1901. Chil- 
dren: Buhla Garrish, b. June 29, 1904; d. 1904. 
Baby Garrish, b. Sept. 26, 1906. 

2e. John E. Hamlet, b. Aug. 26, 1884, Otsego. Minn. 

2f. Fred W. Hamt,et, b. Mar. 31, 1886, Otsego; m. Effie 
Ludgate, Dec. 28, 1906. 

2g. Harry L. HamlET, b. Jan. 29, 1888. Otsego. 

2h. Thyron M. Hamlet, b. Oct. 28, 1889, Otsego. 

21. William McKtnlEy Hamlet, b. Dec. 26. 1896, Otsego. 



199 

4. AROLINE R (TTAMLET) DAVIS. 
(Dau. Charlotte M.. Tileston, Benjamin.) 
Aroliiic F. Hamlet was btjni at Brownville. Ale., in Sept.. 
iiS$4, and was married to Luther G. Davis, at Minneapolis. 
Aug 5. 1873. tie was born at Cherryfield, Me.. Dec. 29. 
1840, the son of Samuel Davis. He is a carpenter and at 
present resides at Drain. Oregon. He saw military service 
during the Civil \\'nr in the 2nd Reg't Berdan's U. S. Sharp- 
shooters, serving with that Reg't three years and eighteen 
months between the years of '61 and '65. 

CHILDREN. 

4a. Fred Leroy Davis, b. Mar. 25. 1874. Minneapolis; d. 
July 20, 1874. 

4b. \Y. Maud Davis, b. Mar. 19. 1875. Maud Davis w-as 
educated at Elk River High School ; graduated from 
that school and subsequently from the State Normal. 

4c. DeWitt C. Davis, b. June 17, 1878, Elk River; m. Myr- 
tle Aloon. April 6, 1903. Graduated from Elk Riv- 
er High School. 

4d. F. Gertrude Davis, b. July 28. 1881. Elk River. 

4e. jMildred I. Davis, b. June 3. 1884; m. Joseph Brands, 
Oct. 20. TO06. 

4f. Thad E. Davis, b. June 20. 1889. ^^^ River. 

4g. Helen L. Davis, b. Nov. 2, 1894. Elk River; d. Nov. 
Ti, 1894. 
F. Gertrude and Mildred graduated from Elk River Higli 

School and also from the State Normal at St. Cloud. Maude 

and Gertrude have been teachers in the public schools since 

graduating. 



5. WILLIAM D. HAMLET. 

(Son Charlotte M., Tileston. Benjamin.) 

William D. Hamlet was born xAug. 8. 1856. at Browm- 
ville. Maine, and married Delia C. Baker. Aug. 30. 1884. 
She was born in Franklin county, low^a. the daughter of C. 
F. Baker. William D. Hamlet is a farmer and has resided 
in New York. Iowa and Minnesota. He has no children. 



200 



6. HELEN AMANDA (HAMLET) HEATH. 

(Dau. Charlotte M., Tileston, Benjamin.) 
Helen Amanda Hamlet was born at Brown ville, Me., 
Dec. 28, 1859, and was married to William W. Heath, Aug. 
12, 1876, at Otsego, Minn. He was born at Brownville, Dec. 
21, 1849, the son of Hiram Heath. Mr. Heath is a farmer 
and resides at Monticello, Minn., having formerly resided in 
Maine and Ohio. 

CHILDREN. 

6a. Raymond E. Heath, b. Nov. 16, 1877, Otsego, Minn. 

6b. Erma J. Heath, b. Oct. 9, 1884, Otsego, Minn. 

6c. Bernard C. Heath, b. May 22, 1895, Elk River, Minn. ; 
d. May 11, 1897, Elk River. 

6d. Bernice J. Heath, b. Aug. 8, 1898, Elk River; d. Oct. 
17, 1898, Elk River. 




To face page 201. 

ALBION K. P. SNOW. 



201 



IV. 



ALBION KEIF PARIS SNOW. 

1822- . 

(Fourth child of Tileston Snow.) 
"Tilest(Mi Snow's son, Albion Keif Paris Snow, receivecl 
his name from the distinc^uislied Governor of the State, Mr. 
Paris. He married Sarah M. Bumps, descended from the 
family of Bon Passe, the Pilg-rims who settled in Plymouth 
Colony in its very earliest days, and who later changed their 
name to Bumps. Sarah Bumps and Albion Snow were born 
on the same day of the same year, March 17th, 1822, tradi- 
tion stating that they were rocked in the same cradle. 

"Atarried at the age of twenty (June 27, 1842), they 
lived together for sixty years until Sarah (Bumps) Snow 
went to rest. 

"Albion Keif Snow is still living at a serene old age, 
greatly honored and respected by all who know him." 

He was born at Atkinson, and his wife at Milo, Maine, 
She was the daughter of Asa W. Bumps, or according to the 
French spelling. Bompassc or Bon Passe. 

Mrs. Cora A. Arbo, Albion Snow's oldest daughter, in 
writing of the early days of Brownville, her home town, of 
the Hamlets and of her father, says : "Brownville was set- 
tled about 1800. It was a plantation in 18 19 and was in- 
corporated into a township in 1824. At present it has a pop- 
ulation of alx>ut 1000, with large lumber mills, slate quar- 
ries, peg and hub factories, two hotels, a four-story block, 
costing $20,000, electric lights, etc. It has two railroads, 
Bangor and Aroostook and Canadian Pacific. 

"The Hamlets came to Brownville among the first set- 
tlers. They were farmers, well educated and noted for hon- 
esty and uprightness. Grandfather (Tileston Snow) was one 
of the first settlers in Brownville. Grandfather came soon 
after the Hamlets. 

"Father, Albion Snow, has always been a farmer as his 
father was before him. He was a large man, six feet in his 
stockings, and weighing about 200 lbs. ; stern but kindly, and 
honest in his dealings with all men. He has always kept a 
diary since he was twenty-one. He has most of his diaries 
now. Some of the oldest ones are quite worth reading. He 



202 

is still livinf;^ at the age of 85 but very feeble. He was a 
most affectionate Husband, and a loving Father. I will send 
a picture of him w^hen he was 50 years old. At that time he 
Avas dark, with black hair and hazel eyes." 

CHILDREN. 

IV. I. CORA ADA SNOW, b. Sept. 3, 1854. Sebec, Maine; 
m. Alexander Arbo, Sept. i, 1872, 

IV. 2. IDA GENEVA SNOW. b. Mar. i, 1858, Brown- 
ville, Maine; m. Charles Appleton Hooper, 
June 7, 1880. 



IV. I. CORA ADA (SNOW) ARBO. 
(Dau, Albion, Tileston, Benjamin.) 

Cora Ada Snow was l>orn at Sebec, Maine, Sept. 3, 1854, 
and was married to Alexander Arbo at Brownville. Maine, 
Sept. I, 1872. He was born at Greenville, Maine, Aug. 13, 
1852, the son of James Arbo. Mr. Arbo is a lumberman, 
and is of French descent, his name being the Anglicized form 
of the French Arbeau or Arhcaux. 

CHILDREN. 

la. Erwin a. Arbo, b. June 14, 1873, Brownville, Me.; d. 

Onaaa, Me., Jan., i8q2. 
lb. Clayton K. Arbo, b. Sept. 29, 1874, Brownville; m. 

Hattie M. Walton, June 28, 1892. 
Tc. Gertrude Arbo, b. Aug. 11, 1882, Perham, Aroostook, 

Me. ; m. Chas W. Long, June 22, 1902. 
id. Carroll Snow Arbo, b. July 17, 1888, Brownville, Me. 
le. Marguerite Arbo, b. Oct. 10, 1892, Brownville, Me. 
if. Paul Payson Arbo, b. May 18, 1895, Brownville, Me. 

lb. Clayton K. Arbo. 
(Son Cora (Snow) Arbo, dau. Albion, Tileston, Benjamin.) 
Clayton K. Arbo was born aj^ B4:«^'nville, Me., Sept. 29, 
1874, and married Hattie M. yv'alton, June 28, 1892. She 
was born at Milo, Me., Aug. 2^ 1873, the daughter of Wil- 
liam Walton. Her ancestors on her mothel*'s side were Snows 
but they were not of Benjamin Snow's family, unless in some 
collateral line, for the name Moses Snow, that of her great- 
grandfather, does not appear in Benjamin Snow's line of 
descent. 




To face page 203. 

IDA GENEVA (snow) HOOPER. 



203 

Having riv-ed :t!l his life in the center of Maine, in ol" 
near the hnnber and hunting regions, Clayton K. Arbo has 
follou'ed the out-of-door life, and is a successful hunter and 
:guide. The following is a copy of one of his business cards, 
iind should be of especial interest to those western Snows in 
whom the hunting spirit is implanted (and they are not a 
few) ; and it is hoped it may serve to bring together at some 
Cuture da}' spirits that are kindred in blood as well as incli- 
nation. Such, indeed, is one of the aims of this Iwok, 

Cooking for Outing Parties a Specialty, 

CLAYTON K. ARBO 

BrownvillE 
Hunter and Guide Maine 

CHILDREN, 

HoLLis Ervin Arbo, b. June i6, 1893, Milo, Maine. 
Carrie Emma Arro, b. May 27, 1901, Brownville, ]\Iaine. 

'j* 'P "i^ 'i^ 'I* 

IV. 2. IDA GENEVA (SNOW) HOOPER. 

(Dau. Albion, Tileston, Benjamin.) 

Ida Geneva Snow was born at Brownville, Me., March 
I, 1858, and was married to Charles Appleton Hooper in the 
same town. June 7, 1880. He was bom at Bangor, ]\Iaine, 
March 14, 1843. the son of John Hooper. Mr. Hooper is a 
very well known and successful lumber merchant, having 
been one of the big figures of Pacific Slope business for many 
years. 

The following is an interesting sketch of his busy life 
from the "American Lumberman," a journal devoted to the 
interests of the lumber business of the country: ^ 

CHARLES APPLETON HOOPER. 

California is famed for its big trees. The giant red- 
woods of X^alifornia are objects of interest to thousands of 
tourists who visit that state and are considered one of the 
wonders of this country. One naturally associates redW'Ood 
with California. Redwood is a timber that is different from 
all other varieties in that it grows in but one state only — Cal- 
ifornia. 



204 

The attention of the world was first called to California 
by the great gold discoveries of 1848 and its settlement and 
development were very rapid from that time. Coincident 
with the development of mining was lumbering and it was the 
redwood forests that first attracted those who saw the com- 
iiiercial value of the great redwood trees and realized the ne- 
cessity of providing lumber for building homes in the great 
cities that were to spring up in the then new state. For a half 
century redwood lumber manufacturing has been carried on 
in California; a large part of the output of the mills was used 
locally and a small part was sent by vessel to foreign lands. 
No great increase in redwood lumber manufacturing was seen 
until within the last few years. About five years ago the at- 
tention of eastern lumbermen was called to the vast redwood 
forests and, having reached a point in the east where they 
could see the end of their active operations, they began invest- 
ing in redwood stumpage. The capacity of some of the red- 
wood mills was increased and a few new plants were built, 
with the result that in five years the output of redwood lum- 
ber was increased probably 50 per cent. The problem that 
then confronted the redwood lumber manufacturers was to 
find a market for the increased output. It must go into the 
east and owing tO' the geographical location of the redwood 
timber lands lying along the sea-coast in Mendocino, Hum- 
boldt and Del Norte counties, without railroad connection 
with the outer world, it was found to be a difficult matter to 
prepare the lumber for eastern shipments at the mills, where 
it must necessarily be dried and then sent b}^ vessel tO' San 
Francisco and then loaded on cars. Charles Appleton Hooper, 
of C. A. Hooper & Co., San Francisco, believed that redwood 
lumber would readily find its place in the markets of the east 
if a sufficient amount of it could be concentrated at some point 
where the climate was suitable for drying it. This would 
necessarily require the co-operation of a number of the mills 
and to Mr. Hooper belongs the credit of organizing the Red- 
wood Manufacturers' Company, of which he is president, and 
which has demonstrated that redwood lumber can be sold in 
the east and that redwood manufacturers are able to furnish 
it at all times in large quantities. 

Mr. Hooper is one of the most successful lumbermen in 
California. He is a native of Maine, as are a great many of 
the successful lumbermen of today. He was born in Bangor, 




To face page 204. 

CHARLES APPI.HTOX IlOOl'l-.K. 



205 

March 14. 1843. He came of a family of lnml)ermen, his 
father, John Hooper, having a mill at Mount Hoi)€, then 
known as Red Bridge, three miles above Bangor on the Pe- 
nobscot river. It was a small steam mill equipped with a sash 
and muley saw^ 

C. A. Hooper's great-grandfather, the Rev. William 
Hooper, who died in Madbury, N. H., in 1827, was a man 
who stood high in his community and was esteemed by a large 
circle of friends and acquaintances. The father of the Rev. 
William Hooper. William Hooper, of Berwick, Me., and his 
grandfather, John Hooper, of Kilty, Me., who died in 1703, 
were gentlemen who gave lives of faithful service to their day 
and generation. The Hooper family came from England ; the 
first that history tells about was William, who came to the 
New England colonies in 1640. On his mother's side Mr. 
Hooper came from a family of Stanwoods, famous in the rev- 
olutionary war. The older Hoopers were not much as fight- 
ers but were pretty good in business. 

When a lad of 6 years Mr. Hooper moved with his par- 
ents to Boston, where he attended the common schools and 
the English high school. He quit school at the age of 17 and 
entered the employ of William S. Perry, a lumber dealer in 
Boston. When the civil war broke out he entered the Union 
army in 1862 as a private in Company F, Forty-third Massa- 
chusetts Volunteers. He enlisted for nine months, but served 
over a year. His father had moved to California in 1853 
and after being honorably discharged from the service C. A. 
Hooper joined his father in San Francisco in 1863. His 
brothers, F. P. and J. A. Hooper, had preceded him to the 
Golden State. For a year after arriving in California Mr. 
Hooper was associated with his father in quartz mining. In 
1865 he formed the present house of C. A. Hooper & Co., 
which included himself and his brother William. They started 
on Townsend street, between Third and Fourth, where they 
established a yard, selling redwood and pine lumber. A year 
later his brother William retired from the firm, which became 
Hooper & Lockerman. Two years later Air. Hooper bought 
out William Lockerman's interest and continued the business 
as C. A. Hooper & Co. with no partner until 1870, when a 
younger brother, George W. Hooper, became of age and joined 
him. The interests of C. A. Hooper & Co. in lumber and 



206 

shfpping- in California are very extensive. Mr. Hooper organ- 
ized the Sacramento Lumber Company, buying out N. L. Drew 
Sz Co. Associated with C. A. Hooper & Co. in the Sacra- 
mento Lumber Company were his brothers F. P. and J. A. 
Hooper, Pope & Talbot and A. W. Jackson. Mr. Hooper 
Continued as president of this co'mi>any until its interests were 
disposed of to the Friend & Terry Luml^er Company. C. A, 
tlooper & Co. and the other interests named organized the L. 
W. Blinn Lumber Company in 1881 for operating in southern 
California. Associated with them was L. W. Blinn, whose 
interests were afterward bought. This company has large 
yards at Los Angeles and other points in the southern part of 
the state and in Arizona. Mr. Hooper is president of this 
company, as he is of nearly all of the companies in which he 
is interested. From this time on a number of dififerent cor- 
porations were formed b)'' C. A. Hooper & Co., F. P. and J. 
A. Hooper, Pope & Talbot and A. W. Jackson. Among them 
were the Russ Lumber & Mill Company, of San Diego, formed 
in 1885; the Excelsior Redwood Company, formed in 1886, 
and the Southern California Lumber Company, with yards at 
Los Angeles and San Pedro and retail yards throughout 
Arizona, New Mexico and southern California, organized in 
1894. 

The Excelsior Redwood Company secured 24,000 acres 
of the finest timber in Humboldt county and a saw mill which 
was operated until 1895. Two years ago this company sold 
about 10,000 acres of its timber to the Fresh Water Lumber 
Company. This company also sold Bronson & Weston a tract 
of timber on Little river. In the Excelsior Redwood Com- 
pany C. A. Hooper & Co. were associated with the late David 
Evans and the late Joseph Russ. This company absorbed C. 
A. Hooper & Co.'s factory and retail business in San Fran- 
cisco, which it still operates. The Excelsior Investment Com- 
pany was organized in 1903 to take over the timber holdings 
of the Excelsior Redwood Company in Humboldt county. 
George W. Hooper is president of the Excelsior Redwood 
Company. 

About five years ago C. A. Hooper & Co. purchased Los 
Medanos Rancho, a tract of 8,000 acres of very fertile land 
lying on the east side of Suisun bay near the junction of the 
Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, fifty-four miles north- 



207 

east of San Francisco. On this ranch with fine shii)ping- fa- 
cilities both for unloadin<^ cargoes l)ronglit down from the 
north and for sliipping cars out via the Southern Pacific and 
Santa Fe. Hes the plant of the Redwood Manufacturers' Com- 
pany, which was organized in the summer of 1903, and besides 
Air. Hooper, its president, the other officers are: George W. 
Hooper, vice [>resident ; H. O. Beatty, secretary. Its 
board of directors includes Selwyn Eddy, president of 
the Pacific Lumber Company; Abbic IC Krcbs, pres- 
ident of the Caspar Lumber Company; C. R. Johnson, pres- 
ident of the Union Lumber Company, and James Ty- 
son, of the Northern Redwood Lumber Company. Its mem- 
bership includes the following concerns : C. A. Hooper & Co., 
Pacific Lumber Company, Humboldt Lumber Mill Company, 
Northern Redwood Lumber Company, Bay Side Mill & Lum- 
ber Company, L^nion Lumber Company, Glen Blair Lumber 
Company, Caspar Lumber Company, L. E. White Lumber 
Company, Eel River Valley Lumber Company, McKay & Co. 
and the Minor Mill & Lumber Company. 

The Redwood Manufacturers' Com^pany carries for ship- 
ment to the east at all times about 30,000,000 feet of redwood 
lumber nearly all of which is dry and in good shipping condi- 
tion. This is the largest stock of redwood lumber for east- 
ern shipping carried anywhere. The plant at Black Diamond 
is equipped with an up-to-date sash and door factory, a large 
planing mill, a cyanide tank factory, a factory for making 
redwood pipe and in fact every facility for working up red- 
wood lumber to suit the demands of eastern buyers. 

C. A. Hooper for years had in mind the idea of some day 
getting the manufacturers of redwood lumber to work together 
toward pushing their output into eastern markets. He found it 
hard to convince them of the advisability of doing something 
in this direction but he did not despair, and after lal>oring 
on the project for several years, saw it accomplished in 1903 
in the formation of the Redwood Manufacturers' Company, 
which today is one of the most successful organizations in the 
country. It is ably managed by Charles E. Perry, for many 
years associated with the Hooper interests as manager of the 
Excelsior Redwood Company. Mr. Perry is an eastern man, 
received his lumber training in the east and middle west and 
is especially fitted for looking after a project such as the Red- 
wood Manufacturers' Company. 



208 

Mr. Hooper was instrumental in organizing in 1900 the 
Pacific Shipping Company, of which his brother George W. 
is president and he is vice president. It owns saiHng vessels 
and steamships. He and his brother, Pope & Talbot and Ren- 
ton, H^olmes & Co. in 1902 organized the California-Manila 
Lumber Commercial Company for developing a general ship- 
ping business with the Philippine islands and the orient. Mr, 
Hooper is also at the head of the Pacific Shipbuilding Com- 
pany, organized in 1901, and the Excelsior Wood & Pipe Com- 
pany, incorporated in 1892. 

Mr. Plooper belonged to^ a family of six boys ; three 
of his brothers — William H., Frank P. and Arthur Appleton 
— ^are dead. He has two brothers living — George W., who is 
associated with him in his various enterprises, and John A., 
the surviving member of the firm of F. P. & J. A. Hooper, 
Mr. Hooper's father died in 1893 in San Francisco, where he 
had resided for forty years. Mr. Hooper married in 1880 at 
Brownville, Me., Miss Idaline G. Snow. They have two 
daughters, both of whom are married. One is the wife of 
Sumner Crosby, one of Mr. Hooper's valuable lieutenants in 
the firm of C. A. Hooper & Co: ; the other is Mrs. Wigginton 
Creed, the wife of a prominent attorney of San Francisco. 
Mr. Hooper has a comfortable family home at Alameda, one 
of the suburbs of San Francisco. He also has a beautiful 
summer home on the old Spanish land grant rancho of Los 
. Medanos. 

CHILDREN. 

(Of Chas. Appleton and Ida Snow Hooper.) 
2a. Isabel Martha Hooper, b. June 23, 1881, San Fran- 
cisco, Cal. ; m. Wigginton E. Creed. Oct. 15, 1904. 
2b. Idolene Snow Hooper, b. Feb. 2, 1883, San Francisco; 
m. Sumner Crosby, Aug. 6, 1901. 

2a. Isabel Martha (Hooper) Creed. 

Isabel Martha Hooper was born at San Francisco, June 
2T,, 1 88 1, and was married to Wigginton E. Creed, a promi- 
nent attorney, Oct. 15, 1904. He was born at Freno, Cal, 
Feb. 8, 1877, the son of William Henry Ambrose Creed. 
Children: Stanwood Hooper Creed, b. Sept. 12, 1905, Oak- 
land, Cal. 




To face page 208. 



TIOMK OF CHAS. APPLETOX IIOOPKR. 
A LA M EDA . CALIKOR MA. 



209 

2l). Idolkne Snow (Hooper) Crosby. 
Iclolene Snow Hooper was born at San Francisco, Feb. 
2, 1883. and was married to Sumner Crosby, M. A., Aug. 6, 
1901, who is ill tlie luin1)cr business with his father-in-law. 
He was 1)()rn at South Boston, Suffolk County, Mass., Nov. 
12. 1878. the son of William Sumner Crosby. They have 
resided in Alameda, Cal., for five years. Previous to that 
Mr. Crosby lived in Brookline, Mass. Children : Chas. 
Hooper Crosby, b. Nov. 28, 1902, San Francisco. Barbara 
Appleton Crosby, b. May 8, 1904, Alameda. Beatrice Blanch- 
ard Crosby, b. Mar. 17, 1907, Alameda. 



2IO 

V. 

BENJAMIN FLAVEL SNOW. 

1826 . 

(Fifth child of Tileston Snow.) 

Benjamin Flavel Snow, or as he is now more generally 
known to the Snows outside of his own immediate circle, 
"Cousin Flavel,'' was born at Atkinson, Maine, Oct. 5, 1826. 
He married Ruth Downing- Harris, "Aunt Ruth," Jan. 15, 
185 1, at Brownville. She was born at Poland, Androscoggin 
County, Aie., March 6, 183 1, the daughter oi William Har- 
ris. She died at Big Lake, Minnesota, Sept. 23, 1903. 

Those of us who have never had a chance to meet and 
know ''Cousin Flavel" are able to form some conception of 
his kindly and attractive personality from his own writings, 
from his account of his family, and from his sketch entitled, 
"Looking Backward," but a nearer and clearer view, because 
it is an appreciation by one of his children, is that contained 
in some short quotations from a letter by his daughter, Nellie 
E. (Snow) Knapp : 

"I always thought of him as a model and pattern, a lit- 
tle bit nearer correct, and surer to be right than any other I 
knew. So strong and capable, with such good judgment about 
everything; a careful Christian and an urgent temperance 
man. We loved and reverenced as well as obeyed him from 
our earliest childhood to man and womanhood. 

"He used to hold us on his knee and sing songs to us 
and teach us to sing. One of the delights of our home as we 
grew older was our music and singing. Father played the 
bass viol, and he always enjoyed playing and singing with us. 

"Of a jovial and social disposition, it was always a great 
pleasure to him to entertain visitors. Now at the age of 
eighty he takes much pride in his great-grandchildren. To 
keep the number of this generation of Snows is rather con- 
fusing, as he only gets it well settled in his mind how many 
there are, when news reaches him of an addition of one or two 



more." 






By way of explanation and as a means of expressing his 
appreciation and sense of obligation, the writer wishes to 
digress at this point sufficiently long to say, that it has been a 




To face jiagc 210. 

BENJ. FLAVKL SXOW. 
Alxnit 30 years of age. 



211 



constant source of jjleasure and o-ratifkation to him to receive 
■"Cousin Flavel's" letters and papers regarding the Snows. 
Jt has been enjoyahle, indeed, to find one so full of interest 
and pride in his family, so al>le and willing to aid in preserv- 
ing Its history, and so ready in spite of the great discrepancy 
in their years, to treat with such uniform consideration and 
the manner of perfect equality so youthful a correspondent, 
HI his attempts to speak of a time and things with which the 
older was vastly more familiar. To "Cousin Flavel" is due 
much that appears herein, and to his friendly, helpful dispo- 
sition. The letter following is one written by him in the year 
1900 to Minabel Snow, and tells of his children's families. 
Time has wrought some changes in them, to be sure, but the 
letter tells much in a few words and its paternal tone impels 
us to give it here. 

LETTER BY B. P. SNOW. 

Big Lake, Minn., Dec. 13th 1900. 
Dear Cousin Minabel. 

I received your letter of Dec. 3 with the enclosed blanks, 
and have filled in what information I have of my sister's fam- 
ilies, and of Brother George and of my own family. We have 
2:^ grandchildren living, the oldest being Martha Cater who 
is 22 years old and is teaching school. The youngest is Nel- 
lie's little girl, Ruth Maria Knapp, named for her two grand- 
mothers, who is a little over one year. You see we keep up 
the old family names, and my wife has as many calling her 
Aunt Ruth as Uncle Russ' wife ever had. 

Our oldest son Henry settled at first on a farm adjoining 
ours here at Big Lake, but he inherited the disposition to 
"Move West" and he moved from here, first to Clear Lake, 
and afterwards to S. Dakota, where his wife died when they 
had been married only six years. This left him 25 miles from 
the nearest town and four miles from the nearest neighbor with 
three little children to "bring up by hand." But he did it 
faithfully, even making their clothes with his own hands, and 
they are now a nice family of respectable young men and 
women. 

Kate's husband, L. W. Cater, has a big farm, and last 
summer built a new house, so they are now the only ones of 
our family who live in a big house. 



212 



Charley is in Minneapolis, and supports his family bv 
work at the carpenter trade. 

Nellie's husband, Frank Knapp, is a merchant at Big 
Lake. Their oldest boy Charley is clerking in the store with 
his father. He is the only one of the grandchildren who is 
married. Clinton, the second boy, has a job as clerk in the 
Census Bureau at Washington, D. C. 

Amanda's husband, John Williams, has had the place of 
County Surveyor about eighteen years and County Superin- 
tendent of Schools most of that time. They live at Elk River. 
Their family of three children all at home. 

Our youngest daughter Agnes lives close by us, so near 
that Mother Ruth can leave her to feed the chickens when we 
go visiting. Her husband, Frank Wellington, is agent in the 
N. P. R.R. Depot at this place. He was born in a R.R. Depot 
and has been at work in one ever since. They have one girl 
Myrtle, i6 years old. 

Now as to "the old folks at home." We are living alone, 
but have some of the children so near that we don't feel very 
lonesome. Agnes only about lo rods, Nellie >^ mile, Amanda 
9 miles, Kate 20 miles, Charley 40, and Henry 100 miles. We 
have been married nearly fifty years, and give you a cordial 
invitation to come and help us celebrate our golden wedding 
on the 15th of January next. We expect the children all at 
home at that time. 

With love & best wishes to yourself and all the cousins. 

B. F. Snow. 



At the time of writing the foregoing letter, B. F. Snow 
also wrote some recollections of his first years in Minnesota, 
which follow here under the title of 

THE EARLY DAYS IN MINNESOTA. 

You ask me to write something about our pioneer life 
in this place. I am afraid I have already written too much, 
but I will tell you how to fix it. When you read to where you 
think there was "a good place for me to stop," you can burn 
the rest of it. 

You understand Milton came out here first. Then George, 
and afterwards Father, Dana Hamlet and Bradley Hamlet 




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213 

with their families, and lastly myself and family. When we 
came here, it was warm weather in the fall. We found Milton 
drawing- cornstocks on a sled, on the bare ground with a yoke 
of oxen. He was barefoot and his feet were the color of the 
prairie. There was only one pair of horses and oiic wag-on in 
the neighborhood. After dinner V.lt went and borrowed the 
wagon, hitched his oxen to it and took us over to T.ily Pond 
(Otsego) where Father and the girls lived. The next day I 
went to George's place and inquired for him. It was hot 
weather and he was taking a nap under the bed. I saw a pair 
of very blade, bare feet, sticking out from under the bed and 
grabbed hold of them and commenced pulling them out. When 
I had pulled out about six feet and two inches, I found his 
head. It was George. 

Lily Pond and Monticello are on the West side of the 
Mississippi River. Big Lake is on the East side. I might 
have taken a claim, but as our children were just of the age 
to need a good school, and as they had such a school here, I 
concluded to buy land and settle here. We lived with father's 
folks the first winter and I taught the Lily Pond school. The 
scholars were pretty rough and I would sometimes be lugging 
an unruly boy around the school-house by the seat of his 
trousers with one hand, while I heard a class read with the 
other. I paid all the money I brought with me from Maine 
for this farm, and a few necessary articles with which to com- 
mence house keeping. The farm was an open prairie with 
no buildings and no fences, and the job I had before me was 
to build a house, fence and plow the farm, and in the mean- 
time to support my family, all wdth my own work. The boys 
were old enough to help some about the work on the farm, but 
all the money we got, I had tO' earn. 

Several years afterwards we saw the benefit of the good 
school, when Henry and three of the girls and myself were all 
teaching school at the same time, and Ruth with Charley and 
Agnes as helpers was at home boarding the Teachers. 

During the summer of 1869 I plowed 30 acres and that 
fall built the house in which we live. The next winter I 
tauglit the school at Elk River for wdiich I got $180.00. The 
next spring we managed to fence that part of the farm which 
was plowed, and sowed it mostly to wdieat. That was in 
1870. We had a drought and a small crop. In the Fall, after 



214 

the grain was stacked, the lightning struck the stacks, and 
burned up fully one-half of the grain, and the bugs ate up all 
my potatoes. The next winter '70 and '71 I taught the school 
at Big Lake, and the next summer I took the place of County 
Surveyor, which I held for twelve years, and as the wages were 
fixed at four dollars per day, while I worked, I made consid- 
erable money out of it. 

Our house when built was in size 16 by 24. We have 
made some additions to it since. Nearly all the houses in this 
county at that time were built the same size, for the reason 
that the lumber which we bought at the mill was 16 feet in 
length, and it was very convenient as a 16 foot board would 
just cover the end of the house, and by sawing one board in 
the middle, it would splice to others to the length of the 24 foot 
side, so there was no waste of lumber, and saved considerable 
time in sawing. Yes, we had to rough it, and are doing so 
yet. That is, I have to get up and build the fire in the morn- 
ing, when Ruth don't, and feed the cow and horse, and Aunt 
Ruth has to cook for the whole family, that is, herself and me. 
I will send you a picture showing how we usually spend our 
evenings. B, F. Snow, 




O tJ 



o 5 









215 

LOOKING BACKWARD, 

By B. F. Snow. 

(Recollections of a long life.) 

My first recollections are of events which happened when 
I was two years old. and were retained iti my memory on ac- 
count of something that was said at the time I remember one 
time when my mother carried me into tl^e field where the men 
were at work plowing, and Mr. Glover, father's hired man, 
sang out to tlie oxen which he was driving, ''Haw, Buck, 
over," and I repeated it after him, "Haw, Buck, over," at 
which the men laughed. That laugh fixed that in my mind. 
I remember v/hen the shed between father's house and barn, in 
Atkinson, was raised, and how the men shouted, "Heave ''er 
up!" and how I ran into the house shouting, "Heave 'er up!" 
On telling mother of this several years afterward she said I 
was two years old when Mr. Glover worked for them and 
when the shed was raised. 

When I was three years old I attended a private school 
kept by Mrs. Susan Hammond Dow in the chamber of Cap- 
tain Turner's house at "The Mills" in Atkinson. One time 
when we were going home from school. Uncle Russ' old cross 
cow came out and chased us out of the road and up on to the 
fence where we had to stay till the dog, "Old Ponto," came 
and drove her away. Mrs. Dow was a very nice. Christian 
woman, but she did some things which my mother didn't ap- 
prove. One time a boy had a jewsharp in the school and made 
some noise on it, when Mrs. Dow took it away from him and 
went to the window and pretended to throw it out. Then 
she came and gave it to me on the sly. When I showed the 
jewsharp to mother she said Mrs. Dow did very wrong; that 
it was the same as stealing, and she made me return it to the 
owner. When the boys got to disputing about anything the 
teacher would take them to the door and make them look at 
the sun and tell their story, telling them that if they lied when 
they were looking at the sun they would drop down dead. 
Mother sai'd that was lying to the boys and they knew it. This 
was my first lesson in morality, as I remember it, and I will 
say right here that people should be very careful what they 
teach little children, for they will remember a long way back. 

The next summer, when I was four years old, I com- 
menced attending the district school in Atkinson. I was 
dressed in my first trousers, and I remember how I hung back 



2l6 

when the older children were dragging me off to school and 
yelled that T didn't want to look like the girls. My folks 
moved to Brownville wlien I was eight or nine years old; but 
they kept up the establishment in Atkinson, part of the family 
living there summer and winter, and I attended the winter 
terms of school in Atkinson most of the time till I was seven- 
teen years of age when I attended Charleston Academy dur- 
mg part of tlie Spring term and, afterwards, several terms at 
Foxcroft Academy. 

The first work I remember of doing on the farm' was 
spreading liay with a pole sharpened at both ends. There 
were no mowing-machines or horse-rakes in those days. The 
men mowed the grass with scythes, the boys spread the swaths, 
then the men and boys raked it up into v/inrows with hand 
■rakes. (The first horse-rake I ever used was a "Revolver" 
in the year 184S, and the first mowing-machine, a Cayuga 
Chief in i856.) 

How did we boys spend our play-days? Well, \vt had 
the freedom of the orchard, and used to mellow our apples on 
the old "mellowing rock" ; built grist mills in the side of the 
bank beside the road, through which we ran sand and dirt 
for a grist; vv^ent down to Uncle Russ' to play in the brook 
with Owen and Holland, or up to "Uncle Doctor's" to play 
with Edwin. One time I was at "Uncle Doctors" and Ed- 
win and I were out in their field when a flock of geese be- 
longing to one of the neighbors came into the field, and when 
we undertook to drive them out, the old gander turned and 
hissed at us. Ed said, "I'll fix him. I'll give him a dose." 
So we caught the gander and I held him while Ed adminis- 
tered a dose of lobelia buds to him. This first case of Ed's 
proved to be an unsuccessful one. as the old gander was found 
dead the next day, but some years afterward he became a very 
successful physician. Then sometimes we would play soldier, 
and march through the fields drumming tinpails hung to our 
necks like drums, while the "militia company" was "training" 
in the road. 

My father owned a meadow on "Alden Stream," one and 
one-half miles from his home place in Atkinson, and we used 
to go there to pick gooseberries, of which there were some 
luscious ones growing about the edges of the meadow. Father 
always had a lot of colts and young horses on the farm, and, 
when we were older and big enough to ride, we spent a good 




To face page 216. 



BKNJ. FL.WKI. SXdW 
80 years of age. 



217 

deal of time riding hor3cl>ack. I used to go to the. meadow 
on horseback to carry lunches to the men haying there, and 
frequently went back and forth on errands between Atkinson 
and Brownville, some i8 miles, in the same way. 

There were no cultivators in those days. We used to 
"furrow out" the potatoes, ready for hoeing, with a small plow 
and I used to have to ride the horse. Several times I was 
thrown clear over the horse's head by the plow bringing up 
suddenly against a rock. There were no matches at that time, 
and people kept hre by burying a brand in the embers on the 
hearth, and if the fire went out they would "strike fire" with 
a steel and flint and punk or tinder. Sometimes I would have 
to go to the neighbors' to borrow fire. The first matches that 
I ever saw, father brought home with him from Bangor to 
our place in Brownville as late as the year 1835. There was 
a little bottle of acid with each bunch of the matches, and thev 
were ignited by dipping the end of a match in the acid. The 
next we had were little flat splints and were ignited by grip- 
ping the business end of one between two pieces of sandpaper 
and pulling it out. 

The first cook-stove our folks ever had was a Knott's 
Patent. It was a box stove with two holes in the top for ket- 
tles and two big tin bakers to hang on each side of the stove, 
crane fashion. This was when I was about twelve years old. 
They had tin bakers before that time, but I can remember 
when my mother got her first baker. Before that she baked 
bread in the brick oven or in a spider set up before the open 
fireplace. 

When I was 18 years old I persuaded my father to allow 
me to go to work for myself on the old farm between the riv- 
ers in Brownville. He was living at that time on the "Whit- 
comb place," two miles farther down the river. I agreed with 
him to pay one thousand dollars for the old farm in yearly 
instalhr.ents of one hundred dollars each, but I managed to 
pay the debt in considerably less than the ten years. I built 
a big new barn and made other improvements on the place. I 
lived there and "bached" it for six years, carrying on the farm 
in the summer, attending school a while in the fall during the 
first part of that time, and teaching in the winter. I usually 
had some family in the house during part of the summer and 
boarded with them. But finally I got sick of that kind of life 



2l8 

and persuaded a neighbor's daughter, Ruth Harris, to enter 
into a life partnership and make a home of our own. 

Ruth Harris was born in the town of Poland, in the west- 
ern part of Maine, March 6, 183 1. When she was about four 
years old her father moved with his family to Brownville, 
and settled on a farm two and one-half miles from our old 
heme between the rivers. We were married Jan. 15, 185 1, 
when Ruth v/as nearly twenty years old and I twenty-four. 

I was at work at that time on a job building a bridge 
across the river to my place. The next spring, when I had the 
bridge all completed except the flooring, there came an ice 
freshet and the ice knocked it down and scattered the timbers 
along the river for two miles below. After the water went 
Qow-n I rebuilt the bridge, but the next fall there came another 
big freshet and carried it oft. This left us between two rivers 
again with no way of getting out, during the summer, but 
to ford. We could do this safely enough when the water 
was low, though it was a pretty rough road to travel. But 
when the v/ater was higher it was not so safe. When the river 
was up SO' the water would come into the buggy I used to- put a 
fence stake across the top of the box for Ruth to put her feet 
on to keep them out of the water, and drive over in that way. 
And, sometimes, when the river was too high to ford, I would 
swim the horses over and then ferry the buggy over by run- 
ning it astride of a small boat and paddling it across. 

One time I undertook to lead the old mare (Old Spurn) 
across the West Branch by carrying a line over first, with 
which to lead her. So I tied two or three bedcords together, 
tied one end of them to a bush on the shore and the other end 
to the stern of the small boat which I used for ferrying, and 
undertook to drag the line over in that way. But the water 
was high and the current rapid, and when I was about tw^o- 
thirds the distance across. I came to the end of my line and 
came near swamping the boat before I could get back to the 
shore from which I started. I then drove the mare into the 
water without any line and she swam across, but landed sev- 
eral rods below the landing place and against a high bank 
where she could not get out. I followed her over with the 
boat, put a halter on her and led her along the shore nearly 
to the landing, then turned her loose; but instead of going 
ashore at the landing, she turned and swam back across the 




To face page 218. 

IIKXR^" II. SXdW AXl) HIS (,"11 II.DRKX. 
(See page 225.) 



219 

river with the halter- dragging. Then, as I didn't like to be 
beaten, I took her over to the East Branch, swam her across 
that, ferried the buggy over on the Httle boat, and went on my 
errand to the village. 

I used to get into some pretty bad scrapes crossing that 
river, but I always got out of them safely. Once when the 
water was pretty high, I set Ruth and tlie children across with 
the boat and then undertook to drive across with the horse and 
buggy. As soon as I drove into the water I knew it was too 
high for safety, but there was nothing to do then but to go 
ahead, so I drove on, the buggy going cornerwise in the swift 
current. When we were half way across one wheel brought 
up against a rock, the hame-strap on the harness broke and 
let the hames slide back to the jack-saddle, and the mare out 
the length of the thills ahead. This frightened her so that 
she reared up and tipped over sidcwise into the water. I 
thought that perhaps I v/ould be safer on my own legs than 
in the buggy, so I jumped into the water and caught hold of 
one thill. Tlie mare clambered to her feet and plunged for 
the shore. I pulled on the thill and she on the jack-saddle, 
and we went ashore in grand style. The water was so rapid 
that I could not stand in it without holding on to the thill. I 
thought I had lost my whip, but when I got ashore I found I 
had it in my hand. 

At another time I was driving a fiery colt across this 
same ford, when the water was lower, with my wife and two 
sm.all children in the buggy. I stopped the colt to see if she 
would drink, but instead of drinking she sprang forward 
and broke the whiffle-tree. I pulled her up and got her quiet, 
tlien jumped from the buggy on to her back and rode ashore, 
leaving the woman and children in the buggy till I could get 
a boat and take them off. It was in the evening and before 
I got back vv'ith the boat it was quite dark. 

At one time I had a foot-bridge across the East River, 
made by driving posts into the river bottom with caps on top 
and planks laid on the caps. There were two planks most of 
the way across and only one the rest of the way. The planks 
were about six feet above the water, and the water two or 
three feet deep. I was crossing this bridge one dark night — 
so dark that I could not see the planks under me — and was 
walking rather heedlessly along, supposing I was on the left- 



22a 

fiand plank which extended clear across the river; hut, as \l 
happened, I was on the right-hand plank and walked right off 
the end of it. I was a good deal surprised when I found my- 
self going down, but I kicked niA^self clear of the bridge and 
struck on my feet and was not hurt. 

We used to have some narrow escapes in crossing on. 
the ice in the winter time, but never got into any very se- 
rious trouble. We had a road on the ice down the river 
five miles to the village. I was coming home one night from 
the neighboring town of Sebec with part of a thrashing-ma- 
chine separator which had been left there for repairs. It v/as 
early in the winter season and quite a heavy snow had fallen 
on the ice. but there had been teams enough passing that way 
so the road was good. When I was about half way home 
from the village, at a rocky, rough place in the river, my 
horses, which were a lively pair, broke through the ice and 
v/ent down to their breasts in the water. I jumped from the 
load on to the ice outside of the road, yelling at the horses at 
the same time, and they sprang out on the ice and jumped the 
sled across the hole and onto the hard road again. I didn't 
stop to inquire how it was done, but when I got at a safe dis- 
tance I looked back and saw a black hole as wide and. appar- 
ently, about as long as the sled. I went the other two and a- 
half miles home on that river rood with my hair pushing up 
hard under my hat all the way. If I had been driving a pair 
of "bobs" instead of a long tote-sled that night, I should not 
have got out of the scrape as easily as I did. We lived in that 
way about ten years when the town built us another bridge. 

We lived in the old house on the old farm between the 
rivers sixteen years. All our six children who are now living 
were born there. (Another daughter," Little Minnie, was born 
after we came to Minnesota, and died at the age of three 
years.) I bought out my two neighbors, Joel Heath and James 
Heath, and so owned the whole point between the rivers, 230 
acres. Farming was my main business, but I worked at sur- 
veying some of the time and occasionally taught school during 
the winter. 

In the spring of 1856 father and Dana Hamlet came to 
Minnesota, and the next fall I came out with mother and Da- 
na's family. Bradley Hamlet took us forty miles with a team 
to Bangor, and we traveled from there to Dunlieth on the cars ; 




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221 

thtn up the. :Mississippi River on the boat to St. Paul; and 
from St. Paul to Minneapolis by stage. There were only two 
or three buildings in Alinneapolis then, and they were "board 
shanties," one of them a "'hotel." We moved from there to 
the St. Anthony side of the river where we found better quar- 
ters, and next morning hired a team to take us to Bailey's. 

Father and Dana were settled at Lily Pond, and I stayed 
vs'ith them through the winter. The young people of Wright 
County in those days were mostly bachelors and I was a bache- 
lor pro tem. Some time in the winter I took a claim in the 
woods near Washburn's, built a cabin on it, stayed in it one 
night, and sold out the next morning to Mr. Dimick, who had 
also squatted on the same claim, for fifty dollars in gold. The 
jgold was very convenient to have, as in those days it was not 
safe to travel with nothing but bank bills, for nobody knew 
v/hcn they would be current or when they might be pronounced 
no good. Afterwards I sold m}' surveyor's compass to the 
first surveyor of Benton County, and in the spring of 1857 
went back to Maine. 

In the fall of 1864 I enlisted in the army as a recruit for 
the /th Maine Battery which was located at that time in front 
of Petersburg, Va. I was with the battery tlirough the win- 
ter of '64 and '65, at the battles around Petersburg in the 
.spring of '65. followed Lee on his retreat to- Appoinattox, re- 
turned with the battery to Maine at the close of the war, and 
was discharged at Augusta, June 21, 1865. During my ab- 
sence in the army my wife remained at liome and took care 
of the old farm and the six children. 

In the fall of the year 1867 I had worked a little too hard 
harv^esting, got pretty badly run down in health, and finally, 
was confined to the house for some time with a slow fever. 
And while lying in bed with nothing to do but think. I con- 
cluded that I had spread myself out over too much land so 
that I was getting too thin ; so when Granville Roberts came 
and wanted to buy part of my farm, I sold him the old home- 
stead and moved up on to the James Heath place where we 
lived one year, and then, as it was the fashionable thing to 
do at that time, we sold out and moved to Minnesota in Octo- 
ber, 1868. \Vhen we got here we found Milton Snow hauling 
corn on an oxsled on the bare ground. There was only one 
pair of horses in the neighborhood, and, I think, only one lum- 
ber wasfon. We found that it was the fashion here to drive 



222 

to church and to mill with oxen and for the men to work in 
the cornfield barefoot. 

The next spring while living- with father's folks at Lily 
Pond, I sawed a pair of trucks off from the end of a big oak 
log, and, fixing them on a "cart ex" with tongue attached and 
some kind of a body on the ex, I had a carriage of my own. 
Once when I was riding oii this road cart with my wife and 
Mit's wife, on some kind of a shopping expedition to Monti- 
cello, Mr. Clarey who was in the wagon-making business at 
Monticello at that time, insulted me by asking me if the tires 
on my wheels ever got loose. In the fall of '68 I bought the 
farm on which we now live, together v/ith that on which Mr. 
Olson lives, i6o acres, for which I paid $850, — all the money I 
had left. I then commenced the task of supporting my family, 
making a farm and building a home with notliing to start 
with. 

I taught school at Lily Pond in the winter of '68 and 
'69. The next summer we plowed thirty acres, and in the fall 
of '69 built the house in which we now live. In the winter of 
'69 and '70 I taught the school at Elk River. The next sum- 
mer we planted one acre of potatoes and the rest of the thirty 
acres with corn and wheat. The bugs destroyed all the pota- 
toes and the drought injured the wheat sO' there was only half 
a crop, and when it was harvested and stacked the lightning 
struck the stacks and burned up one-half of it. In the winter 
of '70 and '71 I taught the Big Lake school, and the next sum- 
mer (1871) took the place of County Surveyor which I kept 
about twelve years. 

Our boys, Henry and Charlie, helped on the farm, and the 
girls helped by teaching school. Since that time — since all the 
children are married and have homes of their own — Ruth and 
I have lived alone on the old place and do the farming on a 
very small scale. And to-day, January 15th, 1901, we expect 
all the children to come home and help us celebrate the fiftieth 
anniversary of our wedding. 

Many of B. F. Snow's older correspondents have experi- 
enced the pleasure of his quaint, humorous letters. Those who 
have not, can see something of their tenor in the verse en- 
titled "The Lake in the Wood," re-written by him from 
memory some thirty years after it was originall}^ composed. 




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22'i, 

THE LAKE IN THE V.'OOD. 

A True Story, ey B. F. S. 

Have you ever been out to the lake in tlic wood 

Where tlie Tamarack trees grow so tall and so good; 

That whenever our fence needs a pole or a stake, 

We just hitch up our teams and drive out to the lake. 

This lake is surrounded with woods bright and gay, 

And on its smooth surface the ducks swim and play. 

The treetoad at eve sings his song of delight 

And the bullfrog makes music through most of the night. 

The water is shallow, scarce twelve inches deep. 

Just enough for the ducks their duck socials to keep. 

But the nuul underneath is so deep and so light 

That a riftecn foot pole will go in and out of sight. 

Now it happened one season, along in the fall, 

A gentleman hunter came up from St. Paul, 

Thinking perhaps he might have the good luck 

To capture a deer or to shoot at a duck. 

He boarded at Hiram's and wandered about 

Through the Vv^oods and marshes, but soon he found out, 

.'\s he roamed through the woods with his dog and his gun, 

That hunting for deer was not all fun. 

As he ran through the brush and climbed over tlie fence 

He tore a big hole in the seat of his pants. 

Then he sneaked back to Hiram's and into bed went, 

.And asked Hiram's wife if she'd mend up the rent. 

So she mended the pants so nice and so neat 

With a generous patch all over the seat. 

Next day he and Charley went out on the lake 

In hopes they might capture a duck or a drake. 

Charley paddled the boat while the man held the gun 

And he thought that duck hunting was just splendid fun. 

But when he rose up that good aim he might take, 

By some luckless blunder he fell in the lake; 

And went into the mud, both his head and his feet. 

With nothing in sight but the patch on his seat. 

Charley grabbed at the patch which he saw there afloat, 

With a desperate pull landed hiin in the boat. 

But the hunter was in a most pitiful plight. 

With his eyes full of mud and his hair plastered tight. 

Charlej' hurried him home and they washed off the stufif, 

But the hunter declared he'd had hunting enough. 

So he started for town, just as soon as he could; 

Bade a sad farewell to the lake in the wood, 

Then went back to St. Paul, to his babes and his wnfe. 

Thanking God for the patch which he said saved his life. 



The following letter was written to the compiler Ijy B. 
F. Snow some time after the first section of this book, rela- 
tive to the removal of some of the Snows from Maine to 
Ohio, had been printed, and after some of the proof sheets had 
been sent to him. It contains some interesting- recollections 
prompted by the contents of the printed pages, and the letter 
is therefore inserted here for the preservation of those mem- 
ories. 



224 

LETTER BY B. F. SNOW. 

Big Lake, Minn., June 21, 1907. 
Dear Cousin Oiven: 

Your second installment of proof sheets came to hand 
today, and they were very interesting reading to me. The 
Book would be a success to me personally, if there were noth- 
ing else in it but these old letters. I can remember all about 
these old times, and how the boys used to avoid the high post- 
age by marking the picture of an awl and a well on the mar- 
gin of a newspaper to signify all well. The Doctor's letters 
bring to mind how prices were mixed up in two different cur- 
rencies. Wheat worth 7-6 (seven shilling, six-pence N. E. cur- 
rency $1.25). Good wheat from 10 to 2.00 ($1.67 to $2.00). 
When we went to the store to buy goods, if the trader wanted 
30 cts. for an article he would say thirty cents. If he wanted 
33 cts. he would say two shillings. If he wanted 50 cts. he 
would say fifty cents, but if he wanted 75 cts he would say 
four and sixpence. Half that sum would be two and thri- 
pence. 

I remember just how the carriage looked in which Uncle 
Henry's folks started out west. It was a large covered wa- 
gon, iDuilt omnibus fashion, with seats the whole length each 
side over the wheels, with stairs at the back end and many 
conveniences inside for housekeeping, even to a cellar. (A 
trap door in the bottom with a box underneath for keeping 
provisions.) The wagon box was hung on thorough-braces. 
Heavy leathern straps for springs. 

Respectfully, 

B. F. Snow. 




F"RAXK n. AXn XKLUR (snow) KXAPI' AXl) FAMILY. 

(See page zi-j.) 




To face page 224. 

RUTH MARIA KXAPP. 
Age 6 years, 11 months. 




To face page 224. 

CIJXTOX T,. KXAIM' AXI> I'A.MII.N' 
(See page 227.) 



225 

CHILDREN. 

(Of B. r. and Ruth (Harris) Snow.) 
V. 1. HENRY H. SNOW, b. July 3. 1852, Brownville, 

Me. ; ni. Ava E. EUithorpe, April 26, 1878. 
V. 2. KATE FLAVILLA SNOW, b. April 14, 1854, 

Brownville; m. L. W. Cater, June 16, 1877. 
V. 3. CHARLES TILESTON SNOW, b. .Aug. 31, 1856, 

Brownville; m. Ella L. Fillmore, Feb. 22, 1883. 
V. 4- NELLIE ELIZABETH SNOW, b. July 31, 1859, 

Brownville; m. Frank B. Knapp, June 8, 1878. 
V. 5. AMANDA PAYSON SNOW, b. April 8, 1861, 

Brownville; m. John Ji. Williams, Sept. 5, 1882. 
V. (). AGNES MARIAN SNOW, b. Dec. 3, 1863, Brown- 
ville; m. Frank E. Wellington, Oct. 5, 1881. 
V. 7. MINNIE SNOW, b. Dec. 5. 1872, Big Lake, Minn.; 

d. May 9. 1876. 



V. I. HENRY H. SNOW. 

(Son Benj. Flavel, Tileston, Benjamin.) 
Henry H. Snow was born at Brownville, Me., July 3, 

1852, and married Ava E. EUithorpe at Sauk Rapids, Minn., 
April 26, 1878. She was born at Burlington, III, Jan. 15, 

1853, t^^^ daughter of Timothy EUithorpe, and died at Am- 
herst. So. Dakota, Jan. 7, 1884, six years after her marriage. 
After her death Henry H. Snow moved to Sedan, Minn. He 
has been a farmer and miller by occupation. 

CHILDREN. 

[a. LiNA Snow, b. Jan. 26, 1879, Big Lake, Minn.; m. Wil- 
liam Castle. June 29. 1904. Children: Joseph Hen- 
ry Castle, b. So. Dakota. Aug. 6. 1905 ; Clarence Ed- 
win Castle, b. So. Dakota. Oct. 9. 1906. 

lb. Ben.i. F. Snow, b. .Aug. 14. 1880, Big Lake, Minn. 

ic. Emily B. Snow, b. Dec. 12, 1881, Clear Lake, Minn., 
m. Charles Delvin. Dec. 31. 1902. Children: Dor- 
othy Delvin, b. Nov. 3, 1903. Chicago. 111. ; d. Dec. 
2y, 1904; Thomas Emmet Delvin. b. Nov. 19. 1905, 
Big Lake, Minn. 



226 

V. 2. KATE FLA VILLA (SNOW) CATER. 

(Dan. Benj. Flavel Tileston. Benjamin.) 
Kate Flavilla Snow was born at Brownville, Me., April 
14, 1854, and was married to L. W. Cater at Big Lake. Minn., 
June 16, 1877. He was born Sept. 5, 1847, ^^ Dover, N. H., 
the son of Joshua Cater, and is now an exceptionally prosper- 
ous farmer at St. Cloud. Minn., havinj^- resided formerly at 
Big Lake and Haven. 

CHILDREN. 

2a. Martha L. Cater, b. April 10, 1878. Haven. Minn.; m. 
Wm. Scherfenberg. Feb. 24, 1903. Children: Laura 
Margaret Scherfenberg. b. Feb. 3. 1904; Ruth Mar- 
tha Scherfenberg, b. April 15. 1905. 

2b. Charles W. Cater,, b. May 3, 1880. Haven, Minn.; m. 
Margaret Hawkins. Nov. 26, 1903. Children: Edna 
Mildred Cater, b. Oct. 3, 1904. 

2c. Nellie R. Cater, b. May 30, 1882. Haven; m, Edward 
Cater, Sept. 30, 1903. Children : Edward W. Ca- 
ter, b. Feb. 27, 1905, d. Mar. 6, 1905; Chas. M. Ca- 
ter, b. May 13, 1906. 

2d. Frank Cater, b. Nov. 5, 1884, Haven: d. Nov. 19, 
1889, Haven. 

2e. Abbie L. Cater, b. March 4. 1887. Haven. 

2f. Lottie Wilpielmina Cater, b. May 20. 1896. Haven. 



V. 3. CHARLES TILESTON SNOW. 
(Son Benj. Flavel. Tileston. Benjamin.) 
Charles Tileston Snow was born at Brownville. Me., Aug. 
31, 1856, and married Ella L. Fillmore at Big Lake. Feb. 22, 
1883. She was the daughter of Chas. M. Fillmore. Chas. 
Snow is a carpenter by trade and lives in Minneapolis, hav- 
ing resided at Big Lake and Clear Lake. 

CHILDREN. 

3a. Clieeord Snow, b. June 5, 1884. Big Lake; m. Mae 
Stanton. May 24, 1905. Children: Vernon Stan- 
ton Snow. b. Sept. 13, 1906. 

3b. Irwin Snov/, b. Mar. 23. 1886, Big Lake. 

3c. Vera Snow, b. July 22. 1888. Big Lake; d. Oct. 24, 
1889, at Minneapolis. 




01 

SX3 






227 

3d. HazeIv Snow. b. Oct. 13. 1890, Minneapolis, 

3e. Ivy Snow, b. Nov. 2t^, 1892, xMiiineapolis. 

3f. Roi,LAND Snow, b. Feb. 7, 1895, Big Lake. 

3g. Fayette Snow, b. July 9. 1897, Alinneapolis. 



V. 4. NELLIE ELIZABETH (SNOW) KNAPR 
(Dau. Benj. Flavel, Tileston, Benjamin.) 

Nellie E. Snow was born at Brownville, Me., July 31, 
1859, and was married to Francis B. Knapp at Big- Lake, June 
8, 1878. He was born at Dummerston, Vermont, Nov. 26, 
1851, the son of Dr. Isaac N. Knapp. Mr. Knapp has been 
a merchant and resided at Big Lake, Baldwin and Clear Lake, 
]\Iinn. He and his wife are now living in Colorado, having 
established themselves first at Denver. 

CHILDREN. 

.la. Charles F. Knapp, b. May 3, 1879, Baldwin, Minn.; 
m. Ethel Roberts, June 30, 1900. Chas. Knapp has 
been successful in business. At the time of 
his marriage he was clerking in his father's store at 
Big Lake, and he is now cashier of the bank there. 
Children: Percival Roberts Knapp, b. Oct. 24, 1902, 
Big Lake; Rachael Knapp, b. Aug. 21, 1905, Big 
Lake. 

4b. Clinton L. Knapp, b. Mar. 21, 1881, Baldwin, Alinn. ; 
m. Cora Minnette McAllister, June 5, 1905, at Chi- 
cago. She was born Dec. 11, 1883. Children: Lau- 
rence McAllister Knapp, b. Sept, 23, 1906. 
Clinton Knapp is a representative example of the 
younger generations of Snow blood. He was the val- 
edictorian of his class at the time of graduation from 
High School, and at an early age secured a respon- 
sible position in the Census Bureau at \\'ashington, 
D. C, studying shorthand and typewriting at night 
school at the same time. Upon his return to Alinne- 
sota he went into bank work, and is now cashier of 
the State Bank of Ogilvie, Minn. 

4c. Vernon W. Knapp, b. Mar. 8, 1885. Clear Lake, Minn. 
4d. Lester H. Knapp, b. May 2^, 1889, Big Lake. 
4e. Ruth ]\Iaria Knapp, b. Sept. 26, 1899, Big Lake. 



228 

V. 5- AMANDA PAYSON (SNOW) WILLIAMS, 
(Dau. Benj. Flavel, Tileston, Benjamin.) 

Amanda Payson Snow was born at Brown ville. Me.,. 
April 8, 1 86 1, and was married to John H. Williams, at Big 
Lake, Sept. 5, 1882. He was born at Bradford, Me., May 4, 
1852, the son of John Williams. Mr. Williams, who is a sur- 
veyor and civil engineer, is a graduate of the University of 
Me., class of 1876. His home is at Elk River, Sherburne 
County, Minn. His wife, writing of herself and family in 
1901, said: "As far as honor attaching to my name is con- 
cerned, I can hope for fame only through being the wife of 
my husband and the mother of my children. 

"I had a common school education, supplemented by 
a Chautauqua course, and taught several years before my mar- 
riage. My husband has held the office of Supt. of Schools in 
this county for 12 years, County Surveyor 19 years, and has 
been a member of the High School Board in this place for the 
thirteen years past. Our High School prepares students for 
the State University. 

"Fred was graduated last year as valedictorian, at the 
age of sixteen. Vesta is in the Junior Class and has never 
been absent nor tardy since entering the ist grade, and accom- 
plishing eleven years' work, careful in the meantime to util- 
ize vacations for measles, mumps, etc. You can easily see 
what hobby-horse we are riding." 

The compiler feels constrained to say that Mrs. Williams 
expressed the wish that her words be not used, but her fam- 
ily hobby-horse is so' creditable a one and one ridden by so 
many other Snows, that he believes she will pardon this ap- 
plication of her words, in view of his admiration for the 
modest pride of family evinced in the first paragraph quoted 
from her letter. 

childri;n. 
5a. Fred M. Williams, b. Oct. 11, 1883, Elk River, Minn. 
5b. Vesta F. Williams, b. Dec. 30, 1885, Elk River. 
5c. Florence M. Williams, b. April 30, 1891, Elk River. 




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229 

V. 6. AGNES MARIAN (SNOW) WELLINGTON. 
(Dan. Benj. Flavel, Tileston, Benjamin.) 
Agnes M. Snow was born at Brown ville, Me., Dec. 3, 
1863. and was married to Frank E. Wellington at Big Lake, 
Minn.. Oct. 5, 1881. He was born Camillus, N. Y., Oct. 
5, 1858, the son of Erastus P. Wellington. Mr. Wellington is 
a R. R. Station Ag-ent and operator, and has been in the rail- 
road business all his life. He has resided at Camillus, N. Y., 
St. Paul, Buffalo, Elk River and Big Lake. 

CHILDREN. 

6a. Myrtle C. Wellington, b. Jan. 10, 1884, Big Lake; 
m. Almon Hanson, May 6, 1906. 



2^0 

VI. 

JOHN MILTON SNOW, 

1830 — 

(Sixth child of Tileston Snow.) 

I was born Aug. ist, 1830, at Atkinson, Maine. My 
Father was Tileston Snow,, son of Benjamin Snow and Eliz- 
abeth (Payson) Snow. My mother's maiden name was Nancy 
Heath, daughter of John Heath and Rachael (Kentfield) 
Heath. Mother's grandfathers were Josiah Heath, who was 
a soldier of the Revolution and the French and Indian war, 
and Ebenezer Kentfield who lost an arm in the French and In- 
dian war. Father's grandfathers were Henry Snow of New 
Hampshire and Jonathan Payson of Roxbury, Mass. The 
maiden name of the wife of Plenry Snow was Russt. 

When I was three or four years old, my father bought 
a farm in.Brownville and we lived there a part of the time 
and partly in Atkinson. . I attended Foxcroft Academy in 
the winters of 1846-47 and 1847-48 and Monson Academy 
in the Fall of '48 and the winter oi 1850-51. In the fall of 
1849 I came v/est, visited the families of five uncles, who then 
lived in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and in the following winter 
and spring, travelled in Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota Terri- 
tory, Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan. Taught school three 
months in Indiana, and returned! to Maine in June. In com- 
pany M'ith my brother Russ, I started for California in the fall 
of 1 85 1, but finding at New York that we hadn't money 
enough to both come through, I gave him a part of my money 
and went to Minnesota. 

I taught the next winter at Winslow, 111., and in the 
spring took a "claim" on Shingle Creek, five miles above what 
is now Minneapolis on what was then Sioux Indian land. 
Three 'years later I sold my claim and entered 280 acres at 
Big Lake, Sherbourne Co. Taught in Brownville the winter 
of 1848-49. I visited the old folks in Me. during the winter 
of 1854-55 eight months. In 1863 I married Delia Heath, 
daughter of Hiram Pleath, son of John Heath, son of Josiah 
Heath. We lived at Lily Pond (Minn.) till 1865, when we 
moved to Big Lake, where we lived till October, 1880, when 
we started for California. During my residence in Minne- 
sota I taught in Sherbourne, Wright and Hennepin Coun- 




To face page 230. 

JOHN MILTOX SNOW, Wlr 



!■; AM) CRAXDL'II 11.1). 



231 

ties, seven winters. In Sherbourne Co. I licld the offices of 
Coroner, Clerk of District Court, Commissioner and County 
Surveyor, and was Town Clerk and Chairman of Supervisors 
in Big Lake Town, quite a number of terms. On my refus- 
ing to take the County Surveyor's office for the third tenn, 
my brother B. F. was elected, and he and his son-in-law, John 
Williams held the office for twelve or fifteen years I think. 

We arrived in San Francisco about Nov. 3, 1880. After 
four days in San Francisco we started for Santa Barbara, and 
after six weeks went to Orange. Jan. i, 1881, where we re- 
mained three years and moved to Alpine, wdiere we now live. 
Jan. I, 1884. I own 145 acres of land at Alpine, ten acres of 
which are in orchard and vineyard and A. F. and myself have 
320 acres in the Sweet Water Valley, 40 acres of which are 
level bottom land, with soil so deep that nobody ever found 
the bottom. 

CHILDREN. 

VI. I. EDWIN TILESTON SNOW, b. Dec. 16, 1863. 
Lilv Pond, Minn.; d. Aug. 28. 1888, Alpine. 
Cal. 

VI. 2. ALBERT FLAVEL SNOW. b. Sept. 21. 1867. Big 
Lake Minn. ; ni. Helen Laurence, Dec. 22, 1906. 
Resides at Orange. Cal.. where he is principal 
of one of the schools. 

VI. 3. CHARLOTTE ELIZABETH SNOW. b. Sept. 5, 
1875, Big Lake; m. Chas. P. Gray, a native of 
Iowa. Resides in San Diego. Cal. Children : 
Arthur Payson Gray. b. Oct. 15. 1903. 

VI. 4. HARRY ^I. SNOW. b. Sept. 19. 1879. Big Lake. 
Now studying music at the New- England Con- 
servatory, Boston, Mass. 

VI. 5. FRED PAYSON SNOW. b. Sept. 25. 1884. San 
Diesfo, Cal.; m. Viola Taft of Portland. Ore., 
in 1905. Resides at San Diego. Calif. 



232 
VII. 

GEORGE J. SNOW. 

1832 

(Seventh child of Tileston Snow.) 
George J. Snow was born at Atkinson, Me., June 3, 1832, 
and married Rosetta M. Everett Dec. 14, 1856, at Big Lake, 
Minn. She was the daughter of Miles Everett and was born 
in England. George J. Snow is a farmer. He has resided at 
Atkinson and Brownville, Me., and at Otsego and Monticello, 
Minn. The latter place is his present home. 

CHILDREN. 

VII. I. PERCY W. SNOW. b. Mar. 29, 1862, Otsego, 
Minn. Married. 

VII. 2. JOHN P. SNOW, b. Feb. 9, 1864, Otsego. 

VII. 3. CHARLES SNOW, b. Aug. 7, 1866, Otsego. Mar- 
ried. 

VII. 4. REUBEN N. SNOW, b. Dec. 12, 1868, Otsego. 

VII. 5. THIRZA F. SNOW, b. Dec. 26,1870, Otsego; d. 
April 27, 1873. 



lRu68 Snow, 

1 789- 1 875. 




RUSS SNOW 

and 

Ruth Hibbard 

(married 1815) 



Charlotte Louise Snow 
(1819-1905), married Al- 
exander J. Snow in 1839, 

Jane Elizabeth Snow 
( 1820-1839) 

Owen Payson Snow 
/ (1823-1905), married Fran- 
ces Fay Eaton in 1851. 

Henry Holland Snow 
(1827-1894), married Marj 
Jane Lockert in 1851. 

Orpha Hibbard Snow 
(I 829- I 862) 



RUSS SNOW. 

1789-1875. 

:' " (Third son of Benjamin Snow.) 

it is impossible in the nature of things for a person to 
V\'rite a very successful personal sketch of one whom he has 
never seen. No matter how much data he may have acquired, 
the results of his labors are never as satisfactory as are the 
words of one who knew and lived with his hero, wlio talked 
with him daily and gained the intimate personal acquaint- 
ance that constant contact affords. 

Careful and close study of the life of his g-rcat-grand- 
father for a long time filled the writer with a desire to com- 
pose a sketch of his ancestor for this book, in order that he 
might in that way point out what seem to him to have been 
Russ Snow's most striking and forceful characteristics, and 
in order that he might also pay the tribute of his admiration 
and respect. But the salient facts in the life of Russ Snow 
have been so fully indicated in other parts of the book, the 
man's character has been so well illustrated in his own words 
and by the stories of his life, and others have lent the assist- 
ance of such timely observations and recollections, that it has 
seemed much better to let the sketch be couched in their 
language and the writer's share subordinated as much as pos- 
sible. 

Corwin Snow is a grandson of Russ Snow, as well as of 
Russ' brother, Henry, and no one living is better fitted than 
Corwin to tell about his grandfathers Snow. He says : 

"Perhaps Henry was more Snow and Russ more Pay- 
son. Benjamin had black hair and eyes, and he got mad and 
resigned. My compound word "high-tem])ered," of Henry, 
covers a good deal of ground. Russ had to get light hair 
and eyes from Elizabeth (Payson), who was a remarkable 
woman. Russ said of Henry, 'He would not control his tem- 
per,' which gave me to understand that he g-overned himself 
and was proud of the ability. 

"I regarded him as a philosopher, a friend of wisdom, 
ever searching for it, and one entirely free from the toils of 



240 

superstition. The unknown, the mysterious, had no terrors 
for him. Reason was his guide. Prove was his common 
word. He was a student all his life. He once asked me how 
long it would take to count a million, counting sO' and so, and 
at another time he asked how thick the crust would be, if the 
Earth should be spread evenly over the Sun. (I answered 
these questions for him very gladly ; that as to the last, I proved 
it to be 32 rods, 2 yards, i foot, 8 inches.) 

"He was of the slow and sure type ; never seemed to be 
in a hurry ; never seemed to fret ; always 'got there.' He ad- 
vised strictest honesty and justice under all circumstances, re- 
gardless of consecjuences, 'at all Iia::;ards.' 

"He was a great reader and a great talker. He said of 
himself that he was a 'bungler in the use of language,' for two 
reasons, one that v^^ords did not come to him, the other that 
his vocal organs ('mouth') v^ere not good for their enuncia- 
tion. 

"He reduced his conclusions to nut-shell forms. He 
would listen to a political argument attentively and disagree- 
ing, he would purse his thick lips, raise his big head, and 
bringing it down with a jerk, make his reply with one word, 
'Fudge.' 

"He claimed the honor of having called the first temper- 
ance meeting in the State of Maine, and described it. As a 
boy he carried his father's grist to mill and met there a boy 
doing likewise whose name was Daniel Webster. He was a 
schoolmate of Thaddeus vStevens. Going west to locate a new 
home, he found and visited an old friend named Bayley. 
There he bought a horse to go on to Indiana. The horse 
shortly became lame, whereupon he returned to his friend's, 
and thinking well of the future for the town of Boston on the 
Ohio canal, decided to locate near that place and his friend 
in Brecksville Twp. 

"He was called 'Uncle Russ' by his neighbors. He never 
used profane language, and advised young men who did, not 
to 'use so much Christian language' for it was 'unpretty.' He 
was a good story teller and quick tO' see a humorous point. 

"To me this man was exemplary. He never marred the 
kindly feeling I formed for liim in my boyhood by word 
or look or manner. I saw him last the day he was 78 years 
old. 1 was 26." 




X. 




y. 

■j~i 
■f. 






241 

Another appreciation of Rnss Snow is one written by his 
^^reat-g-randdaughter, Ruth W'ilcox (daughter of Jessie Snow 
Wilcox), as a school composition, and of course, a great 
many years after his death. Her knowledge was naturally 
second-hand and her idea of his appearance derived from 
daguerreotype pictures, but her little sketch, entitled "The 
Biography of a Pioneer Farmer." is interesting- because of the 
exact conception of the man which she obviously succeeded 
in obtaining, and because it voices a spirit of healthy ances- 
tor worsln'jx And such a devotion, let it be reir.arked in con- 
clusion, will prove vastly helpful to almost any man, if he 
will suffer it to be, for there can be no better force for guid- 
ing ourselves than the example of our fathers. 

THE BIOGRAPHY OP A PIONEER FARMER. 

"Russ Snow was first known as a New England farmer, 
a sturdy Puritan, as even his name seems to indicate. I was 
never acquainted with this man, for he was my great-grand- 
father, but I have my own conception of him, formed from 
such incidents and anecdotes as are related in every family that 
boasts of its ancestry ; or, I may as well say, in nearly every 
family. 

"The picture that I see is a tall, powerfully built man, 
white haired but active, with eyes that have a store of inter- 
esting tales to narrate. I seem to hear his axe. cutting down 
the hitherto undisturbed forest trees, which his skilled hands 
frame into one of our picturesque log-cabins. I hear his voice, 
positive in its tone, discussing politics or current topics. 'Peo- 
ple will not see so many changes in the next fifty years as I 
have seen,' it sa}'s. A very mistaken, but in his case certainly 
a well-grounded theory. 

"One of great-grandfather's boasts in his later years was 
that lie had lived the lives of all the presidents, for he was 
born the same month that Washington was inaugurated. J-i 
the State of Maine, where he lived until middle age, the b 
had grown with his country from infancy to his years uf 
strength. But the unhealthful climate then necessitated a 
change, and there followed the old story of six weeks' toil- 
some travel by prairie wagon toward the west. 

"Northern Ohio was reached, and here for the next ten 
years the family of seven battled against the hardships of the 



242 

Wilderness. During this time great-grandfather was engaged 
in brick-making, and his industry was rewarded with a large, 
old-style farm-house, the hospitable home where my mother, 
her brothers, sisters, and cousins were born, and where their 
grandfather lived among them. 

"He was, as nearly as I can learn, a jovial old gentleman, 
with delightfully distinguishing peculiarities. Native intel- 
ligence and courage, strengthened by the ignorance of the 
weaker men with whom he was largely associated, united with 
the lack of certain advantages now considered essential, made 
him a man of intensely firm and decided opinons, Puritan in 
his unforgiving relentlessness. But though radical in his 
opinions, he was conservative to the extreme. 'Pretty risky 
business,' he said, in regard to the innovation of the steam 
railroad. Still, in spite of his peculiarities, he was loved and 
respected by everyone, and no one knew of a more loyal friend. 

"I think I may fairly conclude from these facts that my 
great-grandfather was a many-sided man. He was fond of 
saying that he had gone through Dartmouth College, mean- 
ing however, that he had entered at the front door and gone 
out the back, but in spite of all the disadvantages he encount- 
ered, he was a scholar. His enthusiasm was too great, and 
his mind too broad, tO' center upon himself. To his last day 
he was a burden to no one, always a help. 

"There is a simple, lasting lesson to be learned from the 
hardy, enduring life of a pioneer. Its unadorned sincerity 
developed individuals, and made patriotic citizens. Facts are 
of little account, especially when poorly offered, but I feel 
that I owe my ancestors a debt of gratitude too great to be 
kept silent. If my great-grandfather had not been willing to 
face privation, and to sacrifice his ow^n interests for the good 
of his children, where would the bearer of my name be now?" 

Ruth Wilcox. 
November, 1905. 

In Corwin Snow's sketch on a former page mention is 
made of the fact that during his school days Russ Snow 
studied with Thaddeus Stevens, author of the 14th Amend- 
ment. It was at Peacham Academy, Caledonia Co., Vermont, 
that this occurred. He received a certificate at the time of the 
completion of his studies at this school, and the date of its 



issue 1 i8n ) shuwb him tu have l)een twenty-two years old 
■at the time, for he was born in 1789, tlie year George Wash- 
ington was inaugurated President. AUhough modest in tone 
nis certificate is sufficiently commendatory to make it of in- 
terest to the many of his family who have at some time in theif 
lives assumed tlie duties and responsibilities of the pedagogue. 
It reads c 

PfiACHAM Nov. i.-^th 181 1 

This may certify that Mr. Russ Snow for some time past 
^attended the Academy in this place. His acquirements in 
Arithmetic. English Grammar and the other branches of 
learning usually taught in common schools do well qualify 
him for being an instructor. 

David ChassEll, Preceptor. 



Of the details of Russ Snow's youth and early manhood 
not much can be written at this date as his ow'n records do 
not in many instances antedate his removal to Ohio, but a 
few salient dates help to trace the course of his life to a cer- 
tain extent. 

His birth occurred at Plymouth, N. H., May 21, 1789. 
His school days ended at Peacham Academy in 181 1, and 
four years later, on August 3, 181 5, at Bath, N. H., whither 
his parents had moved shortly after his birth, he married Rutli 
Hibbard, the daughter of Timothy Hibbard. He was there- 
fore twenty-six years old at the time of his marriage. 

During his residence in Bath, where he lived for seven 
years after his marriage, which occurred, it will be 
observed, just after the conclusion of the War of 1812, Russ 
received considerable military training and served in different 
capacities in the New Hampshire Militia. He was succes- 
sively appointed Second Sergeant, First Sergeant and Second 
Lieutenant in the Artillery of the State. He served from July 
4. 1817, to November 8, 1821. His removal to Atkinson, 
Maine, in the fore part of the year 1822 was apparently the 
cause of his resignation. His several commissions are sub- 
stantially the same in wording and dift'er in little but the mili- 
tary grade conferred. The last is as follows : 



^'44 

THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE! 

To Russ Snow, Gentleman. 

Greeting^ 

We, reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Fidelity^ 
Courage, and good Conduct,, do, by these presents, constituter 
and appoint yon. the said Russ Snow, Second Lieutenant of 
the Company of Artillery in the Thirty-second Regiment of 
Militia in the State of New Hampshire. You are therefore 
carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a Second Lieu- 
tenant in leading, ordering, and exercising said Company 
in Arms, both Inferior Officers and Soldiers; and to keep 
them in good Order and Discipline : Hereby commanding 
them to obey you as their Second Lieutenant and yourself 
to observe and follow such Orders and Instructions as 
you shall from time tO' time receive from the Commander in: 
Chief of the Army, Navy, and Military Forces of said State. 
for the time being, or any of your Superior Officers for the 
Service of said State, according to military Rules and Dis- 
cipline, pursuant to the trust reposed in you. And to hold 
said Office during good Behaviour. 

In Testimony WherEoe, We have caused our Seal to be 
hereunto affixed. 

Witness SAMUEL BELL, Governor of Onr State, the 
thirteenth day of April in the year of our Lord, one thousand 

eight hundred and twenty-one and of the Independence of 

the United States of America the forty-fifth. 

BY HIS EXCELLENCY'S COMMAND, 

Samuel Bell 

Sam' I Sparha'Wk, 

SECRETARY, 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE 

Grafton ss. ON the twelfth day of May one thousand eight 
hundred and twenty one the said Russ Snow took and sub- 
scribed the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office as a Second 

Lieutenant, as prescribed by the Constitution 

Before me, 

David Smith, JUSTICE OF THE PEACE 

y^ 5^ xji y^ j|x 

Russ' resignation is as follows : 



24^ 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSIirRE 

Head-Quarters, Concord, 8 Nov. 1821 
The GOVERNOR AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 
^as accepted tlie resig-nation of Lieut. Russ Snow, Second 
Lieutenant of the Artillery Company in the thirty-second Reg- 
iiment. Sixth Brigade and Second Division of the New Hamp- 
shire Militia; and he is hereby honorably discharged, at his 
■own request, from the office of Second Lieutenant in the 32(1 
Regiment aforesaid. 

By His Excellency's Command, 

Joseph Loii'C 
Adjutant & Inspector GenerJil, 

5l« * * * * 

In all probability Russ' removal from Bath, N. IL, to 
Atkinson, Me., had been in contemplation for some time be- 
fore it finally occurred. His brothers had preceded him and 
as early as 18 17 we find him disposing of his New Hamp- 
shire property. The following is a copy of a deed to prop- 
erty in Bethlehem, Grafton County, sold by him, November 
25, 1817, 

Deed, Russ Snow to Mark Bacon. 
(Nov. 25, 1817.) 

Know all men by these presents that I, Russ Snow, of 
Bath in the County of Grafton and State of New Hampshire, 
Husbandman, for and in consideration of twenty dollars to 
me in hand before the delivery hereof paid by Mark Bacon 
of Bath in the county and State aforesaid, husbandman, the 
receipt whereof I hereby acknowledge, have hereby given, 
granted, sold and conveyed and by these presents do give, 
grant, sell and convey unto him the said Bacon, his heirs and 
assigns forever A Lot of land Situated in Bethlehem in the 
County of Grafton and State of New Hampshire Viz. Lot 

No. fifteen in the ninth Range 

To have and to hold said granted premises with the privi- 
leges and appurtenances to him the said Bacon, his heirs and 
assigns forever tO' his and their proper use, benefit and behoof 
and I the said Snow for myself, my Heirs, Executors and ad- 
ministrators do hereby covenant with the said Bacon that I 
am lawfully seized and possessed of the said granted prem- 



246 

ISQS ill' fee simple and that I wi-11 warrant and defend the same 
to him the said Bacon his Heirs and assigns against the law- 
ful Claims of all persons whomsoever. In witness whereof I 
have hereunto set my liand and seal this twenty-hfth day of 
November A. D. 18 17. 

Russ Snow. 
Signed, sealed and delivered (Seal) 

in presence of 
Hubbard Willson 
M. F. Payson. 

County of Grafton February 7th 181 8 

Personally appeared Russ Snow and acknow^ledged the with- 
in Instrument to be his free act and deed. 

before M. F. Fayson Justice Peace. 

Know all men by these presents that I, Mark Bacon of 
Bath, within named for and in consideration of five Dollars 
to me paid, do hereby release, exonerate, discharge & quit- 
claim said Covenants of said Snow to me, having received the 
same as full satisfaction of him for all his said Covenants 
contained within, I hereb)^ releasing him & his heirs & as- 
signs forever from all my Claims on him by virtue of said 
Covenants. Witness my hand & seal this 24th day of March, 
1820— 

Mark Bacon (Seal) 
Signed, sealed & delivered 
in presence of 
Wm. Goodall 

SK ^ :K H« * 

The following is a further account by Corwin Snow of 
his grandfather Russ, and tells of the latter's removal from 
Bath to Atkinson, and the subsequent migration to Ohio: 

"Russ Snow removed his family from Bath, N. H., to 
Atkinson, Me., an air line distance of 270 miles, in the win- 
ter of 1822, by sled, and encountered such difficulty as tip- 
ping over. The family was then himself, 33 years: his wife, 
30 years ; their daughters Charlotte and Jane, 3 and 2 years, 
and his mother (Elizabeth Fayson Snow), 69 years of age. 

"Russ Snow built a house to his liking on his farm in 
Maine, at Atkinson, and as carpenter employed a Mr. Owen. 



247 

This man was so highly respected that his name was given to 
the next born son. 

"Riiss and family continued to reside at Atkinson until 
September 14th. 1835. when they began a journey by carriage 
to Brecksville, Ohio, 'i'hc route through New York State 
was by way of Whitehall, Saratoga, Utica, Syracuse, where 
excellent roads were found — and Buffalo, which was reached 
for an over-night stay ; thence south through what was called 
Cataraugus Woods, where the road was so bad that all had to 
walk except the driver of the team. Arrival at the new home 
in Ohio was made on October 19th (1835). Here they oc- 
cupied the eastmost of the three houses upon the land pur- 
chased, and soon added two sleeping rooms and a pantry, all 
of course, of logs. A plan was soon laid to erect a house of 
brick, in size and form like the one built in Maine, except 
that, by advice of Alexander, a nephew, it would be two full 
stories instead of one and a half. This plan w^as carried out 
in the year 1844." 



248 

RUTH HIBBARD SNOW. 
1792-1858. 

(Wife of Russ Snow.) 

The life of Russ Snow in Ohio constitutes such a distinct 
and interesting chapter by itself that a proper appreciation of it 
ahnost requires it to be set apart from the story of his youth 
and early manhood in New England. With the view w^e now 
have, we can see how his cliaracter grew in strength and fiber 
with each succeeding year, but we find no impression of its 
stamp in papers written by him before his removal to Ohio. 
Beginning with that important event, however, and contin- 
uing up to the time of his death, he was constantly giving char- 
acteristic expression to his inner self, evincing the trend of his 
reading and study and reflection, and thereby outlining for 
himself and others a scheme of plain, honest and wholesome 
living that shows better than anything else what a sturdy, 
straight forward and self-reliant m^n he was. 

For these reasons we ask indulgence for interrupting 
the chronological detail of his life at this point, and inserting 
some data concerning Ruth Hibbard, his wife, and some mem- 
oranda regarding the family of her father, Timothy Hibbard. 

TIMOTHY HIBBARD. 

Timothy Hibbard was born February 20, 1757, at Wood- 
stock, Connecticut, and removed to Bath, New Hampshire, in 
1787. He was in the Revolutionary army as a Fifer and 
was captured by tlie British and carried to England. He was 
at Mill prison when peace was declared. He was a musician 
in Col. Philip B. Bradley's Regiment in 1777. 

He was of medium size, ab(jut 5 feet, 8 inches in height 
and 140 pounds in weight, had dark colored eyes and hair and 
was of dark complexion. He was an earnest church worker 
and was a Deacon in the church of Dr. Sutherland, Congre- 
gationalist. He was Town Clerk at Bath. N. H., in 1787, 
and selectman in 1792. 

Timothy liibbard married Sarah Chamberlain, who was 
the daughter of Grace Ainsworth. Sarah Chamberlain was a 
large and fat woman — large head — and was so fat that when 
knitting, fastened the ball of yarn between her hip and the side 
roll of fat above it. She died suddenly. Having arisen from 



249 

licr bed. she fell, her head strikint^- a chair — death ensued. 
She and Air. Hibbard were buried at Bath, New Hampshire. 
Charlotte Louise Snow. Ruth Hibbard Snow's oldest child, 
said tluit her son Ci;r\\in in lieif^ht, size, form and .si'eneral ap- 
pearance nuich resembled her grandfather, Timothy Hi])bard. 

C. R. S. 

The following- is the official record of Timothy Hibbard's 
service in the Revolution : 

STATE OF CONNECTICUT.' 

Adjutant General's Oeeice. 

Hartford. March, 1899. 
This is to certify that 

TIMOTHY HIBBARD 
Ser\'ed in the War of the Revolution, and the following is 
his service, according to the records of this office: 

On page 195, Conn. Men in the War of the Revolution, 
appears the following : Timothy Hibbard, musician in Cap- 
tain Josiah Child's Company, Colonel Philip Burr Bradley's 
Regiment. 

Enlisted, April 8. 1777, term 3 years: reduced to the 
ranks August. 1777. discharged April 5, 1780. 

In witness w'hereof we have affixed hereto the seal of this 
office. 

(Seal) Wm. E. F. Landers, 

Asst. Adj. General. 



250 

CHILDREN OF TIMOTHY HIBBARD AND SARAH 

CHAMBERLAIN. 

Although but two of Timothy Hibbard's children, Ruth 
and Dorcas, married Snows, and although an extensive his- 
tory of the Hibbard family has been published by Rev. A. G. 
Hibbard, some genealogical notes of this family ought not 
to be amiss even in this volume, for as Corwin Snow has well 
said : "This matter of genealogy will become of more and 
greater interest — especially to descendants of Revolutionary 
soldiers — as this country grows older, and such interest will 
be combined with first-class patriotism." 

The children of Timothy Hibbard and Sarah Chamber- 
lain were twelve in number and all lived to become married, 
viz. : 

J. EUNICE C, born, Tuesday, May i8, 1784; married 
Edward Kind, Nov. 27, 1806. 

2. ABIEL, born Saturday, Jan. 14, 1786; married Sarah 

Mathews, April 29, 18 19. 

3. POLLY, born Thursday, April 24, 1788; married Peter 

Bowen, Feb. 27, 181 2. They lived in Canada, were 
rich and made annual trips to Boston. She died of 
diabetes. 

4. SARAH, born Wednesday, Feb. 24, 1790; married 

Stephen E. Couch, April 18, 181 6. 

5. RUTH, born Lord's Day, Aug. 12, 1792; married Russ 

Snow, Aug. 3, 181 5. Died April 30, 1858, of scar- 
let fever. 

6. LOIS, born Monday, July 28, 1794; married Enos Wells, 

Dec. 7, 1815. 

7. DORCAS, born Monday, June 6, 1796; married Dr. Ble^- 

zer Wheelock Snow, Jan. 18, 1821. 

8. AARON, born Tuesday, June 5, 1798; married Lydia 

Moss, Jan. 16, 1823. 

9. TIMOTHY, born Friday, June 20, 1800. 

10. SETH, born Friday, Aug. 20, 1802. 

11. JOHN C, born Lord's day, Dec. 15, 1805. 

12. DAVID S., born Tuesday, June 28, 1808. 



251 

LETTERS BY TIMOTHY HIBBARD. 
MR. i8y; 

RUSS SNOW, 

Atkinson, 
State of Maine, 
Bath N. H, 
Apr, 24 
1882. 

Bath, April 20th, 1822. 
Dear Children: 

I received your letter the 8th of this month. I am glad 
to hear that yon arrived home in safety. I was afraid your 
mumps would trouble you on the road. I am thankful your 
life was spared and your health restored. What gratitude is 
due to Him who is the preserver of men. Tell Maam, 1 have 
seen Louisa. She is well and in good circumstances and we 
all rejoice to hear of her good health and happiness. Aaron is 
unwell, he has not been able to work this fortnight. I have been 
the slimmest and feeblest this spring that ever I was. It ap- 
pears to me I have but a short time to stay in this world. I 
feel something of the importance of being prepared for Death, 
and, dear Russ and Ruth. I beg your prayers that I may be 
prepared to go and be with Christ, which is far better. Your 
Mother is well and so are all our friends, it is a general time of 
health in this place. 

We all send you our love and best wishes for your pros- 
perity here and business hereafter. 

This from your father and friend 

Tim'y Hibbard. 
To 
R & R Snow. 

P. S. The boys made 115 lb. of sugar this spring for our 

part. Tim'y bees are alive 

David sends his love to C and Jane, And tell them their poor 
old gran'er wants to see them once more. 

if. ii: -Jf ■if iili 

To E. W. & Dorcas Snow^ 
Dear Children 

It is with pleasure I reflect on the happy visit I en- 
joyed with you last Summer at your House. I rejoice in your 



252 

prosperity, and hope that while you prosper m temporal things'- 
yonr Souls may be in health and prosper. It is but a little 
while that we are permitted to live in this world, O' that we 
were wise for ourselves, for eternity. The information we 
received concerning your comfortable state of health and the 
little babe, fills us with joy, and Dorc' — do kiss the little dear 
Helen for us. Your IMother wants to see you but thinks she 
never shall be able to come so far. David sends his love to 
you but in particular to little Helen. This from yours, &c. 

T. H. 

***** 

To A. & vSali.ev Hibbard. Dear Children. 

I am sorry for the trials you met on the road, but am' 
glad you arrived in safety. We read that all things shall work 
together for good to them that love God. May you belong 
to that happy number — may you feel the importance of becom- 
ing Christians. 

Aaron went out to M. Barrows after you went away to 
get a cask and ashes you left for us, and he had conveyed the 
ashes to the Village, and chose to keep the cask! for he said 
you were owing him ten dollars. 

Your father Mathews is well and all our friends. I wish 
you to write when convenient, and as you live so nigh to- 
gether, you can all write on one piece of paper. I conclude 
wishing you and all my Children, Health, Peace and Pros- 
perity. 

This from your father and friend 

Timothy Hibbard. 

^ ^ ^ ^ TjC 

Dear Brothers and Sisters. 

I was very glad to hear that you all arrived safe home 
without much trouble. I wish you all the health and pros- 
perity that this world affords. 

O, Ruth how much I do want to see you and your little 
babes. You must kiss them for me. Tell them I, Ann and 
Harriet want to see them and have a good frolick with them. 
Brother Wheelock and Dorcas, I want to see you more than 
ever I did. You must take good care of your little Helen. I 
want to see her very much. Give my respects to your Mother. 
Was very glad to hear that she was well and contented. I 



253 

expect to go and see Mrs. Stocker as soon as it gets to be a 
little better .Gfoing. Abiel and Sally, yon mnst not f(jrget me. 
It is very hard for me to part with yon all, bnt may we be so 
happy as to all meet in Heaven where parting- will be no more. 
My health is better than it has been for some time. Stephen 
is well, he sends his love to you all. My little girls are all 
well. Sally, Ann wants to see Aunt Dorcas and her little 
Cousin. I went down to Father's last week, they were all 
well, except Aaron. Mam gets along very well with her 
work; she has woven one web. I exjiect Mr. Couch will come 
down to see you in June if nothing happens. I'lease write as 
soon as you get this. 

Your affectionate 

Sister, Sally Couch. 

^ ^ :{: ^ !■: 

10 

RUSS SNOW, 
Atkinson, 

State of Maine. 
Bath, N. H. 

June 1 1-23. 

* • ••... •••»•«•■••> 

June II, 1823. 
Dear Children (Russ Snozv & Ruth Hihhard) 

With pleasure I received your letter. I rejoice to hear 
of your prosperity. \\'e all felt anxious for your safety after 
you went away on the account of bad weather but our fears 
are happily disappointed. S. C. is gone to Canada. Aaron 
muster'd a team, took what things they had left and Stephen 
and carried them safely to P. Bowens, and Wells took the 
family the next week and carried them there. Sally stood her 
journey better than v^e expected she would. She has been 
growing better ever since she got there. She does her house- 
work and has spun a little. Stephen has bought him a farm, 
Vvorks for Peter for $13 dollars a month. We received a let- 
ter from Polly and vSally stating that he is doing well. Dear 
Ruth you mentioned that C. and Jane anticipated some hap- 
piness in meeting me at the bars when T came down to see 
you. Tell the dear little creatures their Gr'n loves them and 



^54 

shall be happy to meet them there. The season has been 
rather cold. The frost cut down some corn, kill'd some ap- 
ples &c but now looks more promising. — 

Our friends and nabours are in health. Your sister Stock- 
er and family are well, sends her love to you all, in particu- 
lar to her aged Maam. A. and wife J. D. send their love to 
you. We all unite in wishing you health and prosperity and 
may that Being who made us, and who died to redeem us 
from everlasting misery keep us from sin and at last bring 
us all to his heavenly kingdom, this is the pray'r of your aged 
father and friend. 

Tim'y Hibbard. 

(Contimtation to B. W. Snow & Dorcas Hibbard.) 

Dear Children 

It is a good while since I saw you but I think of you 
often. I intend to pay you a visit next fall if providence per- 
mit. It gives me happiness to hear of the temporal prosper- 
ity of my Children but much more to hear of their spiritual 
happiness — according to the course of nature I shan't live 
but a short time. Your father is gone, your Ma and I stand 
on the brink of the grave. How soon or sudden Death may 
come is uncertain, may we be ready. Dear Children pray for 
us that we may be ready. As we read in the Bible, without 
holyness no man shall see the Lord, again he that perseveres 
to the end shall be saved — Let the Bible be your counselor, 
be directed by its precept, and everlasting life will be your 
happy lot. — 

Give my respects to your aged Ma and love to little Helen. 
I have a desire to see her before I leave the world. 

Tell Abiel and Sally her father came to see us last month. 
He and family were well then. 

Seth lives at Daniel Bartlets. Has let himself for a 
year. T. H. and S. H. 

P. S. I can't write any more. Tell Abiel this and tell him 
when I have opportunity I will write him one. 



255 

RUTTl ITTRBARD. 

(Wife of Riiss Snow.) 
l-'iith TTil)l)ar(l. wife of Russ Snow, known later in life 
in. t:ic comnninity in which she lived as "Aunt Ruth." was a 
lady of medium size and of quiet and retirinj^ manners. Joy- 
ous and mirthful, and content, she loved peace, harmony anrl 
Cjuietudc. She was thougl-.tful and observant and her deci- 
sious and remarks were made with deliberation and wisdom. 
She was methodical and orderly and domestic — devoted to 
the cares, duties and pleasures, of her home : and the mem- 
bers of her family seemed to be her idols. It has been said 
that the labors of her household moved on smoothly as if by 
clockwork. In short. Ruth Hibbard was a most admirable 
and amiable w^oman. as wife, mother and friend. 

C. R. S. 



LETTER BY JOHN C. AND DAVID HIBBARD. 

Joint letter by John C. and David S. Hibbard. who were 
brothers of Ruth & Dorcas Hibbard, respectively the wives of 
Russ & Dr. E. W. Snow. 

12 

Oil Creek, Pa. Nov. 13. 
MR. RUSS SNOW, 

Brecksville. Ohio. Cuyahoga County. 

Oil Creek, Nov. 8, 1844. 
Brother Snow. 
Dear Brother and Sister: 

I received your letter some time ago but cannot tell when 
and you will please to excuse me for not writing before. We 
are all well at present and are able to eat our allowance and 
have enough of everything to make us comfortable. 

We have been looking for you here all fall and have 
some faint hopes of your coming yet. Brother David ar- 
rived here about three weeks ago and is tough and hearty. 
Left the folks all well in N. H. He thinks of stopping here 
through the winter and is going to open a writing school in 
Titusville. one and one-half miles from here next Monday. 



256 

and will probably keep their day school. He brought his vlo- 
lin and we had a real kick-up here last week. He will prob- 
ably make you a visit before he returns to N. H. I suppose 
that you will think strange of his going back to N. H. but he 
lias a wife there and some property and his wife has some 
property that they could not get under a year from this fall 
and for that reason she thought best for her stay at home for 
the present. She sent her best respects to you all and will be 
very happy to see you. She is a dress-maker and David 
thinks that her equal can't be scared up in this country. I 
have not much news on hand. Louisa is very much drove at 
her trade and I am busy in the mill and we both work very 
hard. Our children, friends, and neighbors join me in love 
to you and to all inquiring friends. 

Respectfully yours — by John C. Hibbard. 
Write immediately. 

* * * 5i« * 

Russ & Ruth Snow. 
Dear airccfioiiate sister: 

Brother John has left a space for me to fill and I will 
embrace the opportunity and write a few lines to let you 
know that I have not forgotten that I have a sister Ruth. It 
has been so long since I saw you that it seems to me that I 
am not acquainted with you and the family is so widely scat- 
tered that I am not acquainted with my near and dear rela- 
tives. It seems like a dream tO' me, being the yoiuigest of the 
family, and the oldest ones going off when I was quite young, 
and were it not that I take the pains to visit some of them 
occasionally I should forget that I had any relation on earth. 
Although I am at considerable distance from you now it seems 
to me that I am about to shake the friendly hand with you any 
moment. Ikit alas I must take another start and when, I 
cannot tell, for I expect to get into business soon. 

I will now give you a short historical account of old 
Bath. It was a general time of health when I left there. 
Aaron and family were all smart. He has a family of nine 
children, three girls and six boys, all alive. The twO' oldest 
are girls and are both married and have made out well. The 
oldest boy is about eighteen and as tall as his father and is a 
smart and promising youth. The rest of the boys are all 



257 

smart and llic yoniio-est is a girl. She has black eyes, a^ 
black as yuurs, and resembles you very much. Aarcjn is pooi 
nnd always will be 1 think, but he gets a tolerable good living 
VAul it is done by hard work. I saw Aunt Tewksbury a few 
days before I started and she was quite smart and lives with 
her son Merrill. She is very anxious to see you. The old 
neighbors, whnt there is left, are the same old coons as when 
3'ou left them. Millerism goes 50^0 above par in some of 
the adjoining towns. It has destroyed the Methodist Church 
in Lisbon and nearly destroyed Landaff or some of their 
.smartest men and the body of a Mr. Gale was found in the 
.\mmonoosuc near Bath Village. He was deran<red bv the 
preaching of Millerism and thus juit an end to his life. Mr. 
South.erland continues to preach the gospel yet and thinks 
that Millerism is all a humbug for the present. Messrs. Wm. 
V. Hutchins, Samuel Ross, I. Fitield, xAbram Thomas, E. 
Richer, I. Porter, Dr. French, E. Carlton and the Smiths con- 
tinue to do business as usual. Crops were very good in N. 
H. except Apples & Potatoes. Apples were cut off by frost 
and potatoes rotted in the field. I have no more news in par- 
ticular. John has written all the new^s here and mentioned 
about my wife. I wish that she was with me. 1 think that 
we should make a stand here, but she is not, and I shall re- 
turn to her soon. I will tell you the rest of the news wdien I 
see you. 

Give my respects to Brother Snow and tell him that I 
did not forget to mention his name but as I was writing to 
you, I tliought best to stick to my text. Also give my re- 
spects to all my nephews & nieces and accept a large share 
to yourself. 

Yours respectfully — by David S. Hibbard. 
Ruth H. Snow. 
P. S. Do not forget to write as soon as you receive this. 

D. S. H. 
If there is a good chance for teaching either day or writi ;^' 
school. I wish you would mention it for I should like to 
know before I engage here as my chance here is not very 
good. Write write write. 



258 

RUSS SNOW IN OHIO. 

After his arrival in Ohio and settlement in Brecksville, 
the story of which has been told in other pages of this book, 
Rnss Snow very speedily interested himself in the conduct of 
the affairs of the town, and from that time until his death 
on January 8, 1S75, he maintained this interest, participat- 
ing- in all that was occurring to the best of his opportunity 
and ability. He acquainted himself with State and National 
affairs as well as those of local importance, and always ar- 
rived at sane and liberal opinions, which he was rather fond of 
expressing-. 

He made himself equally familiar with matters of philo- 
sophical and religious interest, and was fearless and emphatic 
in declaring his views which, though liberal, did not in any 
sense indicate a lack of reverent and innately religious in- 
stincts. Indeed, it would be more than untruthful to say that 
he was an irreligious man. Not only did he read extensively 
and think deeply and constantly of matters of religion, but 
the major portion of his writings that have been preserved 
for us, either concern themselves directly with religious topics 
or discuss subjects of a sober and earnest character. And 
these withal are tinctured vvdth a spirit that could emanate 
only from a man who was high and pure minded, temperate 
and serious. 

All tlie acts of his life were characterized by the display 
of such qualities as these, and he was perfectly consistent in 
his preachings because of his capacity to live up to the in- 
junctions of his own sermons. 

This ability was well illustrated by an abrupt change in 
habit which he underwent late in life. Although always ab- 
stemious and temperate as regards the use of alcoholic liquor, 
he permitted its presence in his house,- and resorted to it 
when it was needed as a specific in case of ailments, and oc- 
<-isionally sanctioned the use of it as a beverage, but he sud- 
('cnly altered his opinion upon this matter and conceived the 
notion that total abstinence was a cardinal necessity. And 
from the hour of this change in his conviction he was inflex- 
ibly consistent in discountenancing and condemning its use, and 
he became an enthusiastic and vigorous temperance worker. 

The intensity and zeal of his determination in this re- 
gard is very plainly indicated by the following almost ve- 



259 

^.ement pledg'e which he wrote and prevailed upon all of his 
family and some of his neicfiibors to sis:n. 

BrecksvillE, Feb. 5, 1865. 

ANTI-SLAVRRY, TE^dPERANCE CLUB. 

\V>r^ic undersigned, not only renounce, but denounce, 
ihe common but x'ulgar and inhuman practice, of indulging 
and participating in the use of intoxicating Liquors. — The 
vile practice not only degrades, corrupts and brutalizes Man- 
kind, but it is a deadly poison, which destroys the lives of a 
large proportion of the human race. — Therefore, we pledge 
ourselves, not only to abstain from all intoxicating Drinks, 
but that we will use (jur best endeavors to advance the Cause 
of Temperance and Morality, and show^ to the World that we 
abhor Slavery in any, and every sense of the w'ord. 

Russ Snow. 
Since writing the above all my children and Grand Children 
to whom it has been shown have put their names to it as be- 
low. By which they have not only evinced a spirit of Seventy 
Six, and respect not only to me, but to themselves and hu- 
manity. For wdiich I am much gratified and render to them 
my sincere and hearty thanks. 

Russ Snow, 

James W. Lockert Lydia E. Hickin 

H. H. Snow Mary J. Snow 

George Sithelm Ida May Snow 

Nathaniel Holmes Charlotte L. Snow 

Fred H. Snow Kate F. Snow 

C. E. Chafifee Lon W. ChafTee 

A. J. Snow Frank Snow 

C. R. Snow O. P. Snow 

As an illustration of Russ Snow's attention to religious 
and political matters, first alluded to, nothing could be more 
apt than the followdng well-worded resolution, drawn up by 
him and presumably presented at a meeting of his neighbors 
in his home school district: 

Resolution by Russ Snow. 

Whereas inquiry has frequently been made to ascertain 
whether there were any in our district who would make ob- 



2'60 

jections to religious meetings being held in our school house, 
and being strongly impressed with the belief that there would 
not. and that mankind, each and all, either do or ought to live 
in the enjoyment, and under the influence of religion, and 
likewise believing as we do that it is highly necessary our 
children should be instructed, not only in the ordinary branch- 
es of learning taught in common schools, but that they should 
also receive religious and pohtical information, and also be- 
lieving the policy and measures adopted by the Whig party 
throughout the Union, to be the only true policy, and the only 
right measures to be carried out for the happiness and pros- 
perity of tbe American people, and our nation's wellfare, and 
being fully convinced that our district is exclusively a Whig" 
District; 

Therefore resolved, that we cheerfully, and cordially in- 
vite any, and all good, honest. Whig Ministers of the Gospel 
of whatsoever denomination, whether Jew or Gentile, Pagan 
or Mohamitan, indiscriminately, to hold meetings in either 
of our several school houses at any time when it is conve- 
nient, and the house is not wanted for the ordinary use of the 
District. 

Mc * :<: « * 

At the time of the Civil War, Russ' interest in every- 
thing that pertained to its cause and its conduct was intense. 
He followed the struggles of the armies and fretted at the 
blunders of the early commanders, but his greatest concern 
was as to the civil administration of the government. His 
ideas were like those of many unknown but patriotic citizens 
of the country who trembled for the future of the nation. 
His position in life was such that he could not hope to have 
much influence upon its destinies, of course, for he was all 
his life a farmer, but he had strong, manly convictions, and 
he knew that it was the united sentiment of thousands like 
himself that constituted the conscience of the people. It was 
not his manner to find undue fault with those great servants 
of the people who toiled to solve the awful problems of gov- 
ernment, but he foresaw the need of emancipation, of vigor- 
ous, aggressive generals, and of a relentless prosecution of 
war, and so it is eminently natural to find him — it being his 
habit to put his thoughts on paper — expressing those views 
in characteristic language. 

An apropos example is found in a short extract or frag- 



26l 

inent — an Address to President Lincoln, wherein he writes as 
though he were the spokesman of the common ])eople. This 
paper never left his desk, to be sure, and he never intended it 
should, but in it one can discern not a little of that thing 
which James R. Gilmore in his "Recollections of Lincoln and 
the Civil \\^'ir" says the President was constantly seeking to 
discover before fmally launching- his great fundamental war 
measures like the Emancipation Proclamation — namely the 
conscience and conviction of the people. This little paper 
shows conclusively \vhat prescient views Russ Snow enter- 
tained on these great problems. He entitled it as follows : 

A PROCLAMATION IN BEFIALF OF THE PEOPLE 

OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO 

THE PRESIDENT AND HIS CABINET. 

Whereas, we, the people of the United States, have made 
you what 3^ou are — and have placed you where you are — to 
administer to, and guard our national affairs, and for the ex- 
press purpose of putting down this unnatural and abominable 
rebellion — in this, our day of extreme peril, we view it in- 
cumbent on us to make known tO' you some of our views and 
wishes concerning this one all-absorbing, and vital question. 
We are not unaware of the responsibility resting on you, and 
you have our sympathies. We are ready, able and willing to 
furnish all the men, money and means, necessary to put down 
this accursed rebellion. We can go further; still we are look- 
ing to you. 

The responsibility rests with you to save our bleeding 
country, or let her sink intO' shame, ignominy and death. We 
have a right to expect you to look to it with a single eye, and 
unity of purpose. We have a right to expect of you to use 
alacrity and vigilance, and not to be over scrupulous ; but to 
enlist all, (whether black, white or copper-coloured,) whom 
you are convinced will be of help, to save the best g-overnment 
ever instituted by man, and to obliterate that abominable in- 
stitution which, if it has not been the cause of all our trouble, 
has been the cause more than all else beside. 

We do not expect you to use undue haste, but when there 
is a great and good work to be done, the sooner it can be 
accomplished with prudence, the better, as delays are always 
dangerous. We do not expect you to try to conciliate the feel- 



202 

I'ngs of the southern rebels, either by usmg- easy words or 
sound argument, as we are aware that where total depravity 
bears sway, no argument will convince but that which is called 
the "knock-down" argument. This argument would also be 
the most effectual and conclusive with these northern Copper- 
heads who are boldly talking treason and sympathizing with 
rebels. 

And we would respectfully suggest that in this crisis we 
stand in great need of Garibaldis to lead our armies to a glo- 
rious victory. We would further suggest that whenever you 
discover one. let him come in what shape he may, whether in 
the shape of a Fremont, a Hunter, a Butler, a Lane, a Clay,, 
or any other shape, if it be a good shape, that you place him 
on some lead, and let him go ahead, and not keep in the rear 
or reserve ranks. 

Another vigorous document, written at about the same- 
period as the foregoing, was a letter designed by Russ for one 
of his tov,^nsmen, Theodore Breck, at a time when the peo- 
ple were endeavoring to free the town of the "draft." This 
neighbor refused tO' pay any money for this purpose or assist 
in any way whatsoever, and his positive refusal irritated Russ 
considerably, for although the latter was himself too old to 
serve, his sons each had large families of small children to 
support. The indiscriminate application of the "draft" worked 
grievous hardship in many instances, and as it was compara- 
tively easy to buy substitutes, Russ believed it to be the duty 
of all who were past the age of service, and yet able to pay, 
to assist those who were not, and whose families would be 
jeopardized by their absence. Russ contributed willingly and 
generously for this purpose and it provoked him to- find any 
who would not. He did not hesitate about giving unmistak- 
able expression to his opinions. 

Viewed from the present day, his candor and vehemence 
are rather amusing, and we can imag'ine him shaking his griz- 
zled grey head in wrathful vexation. But there was no 
venom in his words, and we need not be ashamed of a grand- 
parent who alzcays possessed the courage of his convictions, 
and was not afraid to speak out in plain, straightforward 
terms to an old friend when he thought that friend was mak- 
ing a mistake for which he deserved a reprimand. Russ wrote 
as follows : 



263 

Theodore r>rcck Ilsq. 
I)i:ar Sir. 

I am told that strong efforts are being made by the peo- 
ple to free the town fr(Mn a draft by raising six thousand dol- 
lars to enlist soldiers. I am informed likewise that they have 
raised by subscriptions between four and five thousand dol- 
lars. Ijut we are likely to fail to make out the full amount. 
1 am also informed that neither you. nor either of your Broth- 
ers iiavc as yet done anything to help raise the sum re- 
quired. It has also been suggested that unless you and your 
Brothers do pay at least in proportion to your taxable prop- 
erty, that a petition will be circulated to have the name of the 
town clianged to Liberty. Freeilom. Freeport or some other 
good name. 

Now Friend Breck. 1 should be ver}' sorry to have to 
sign such a petition, Init I should be compelled to. if it were 
presented, unless you and your Brothers should conclude to 
hand over, for it is due from you all as much as would be a 
note of hand, and more sacred. Look at it ! What is property 
good for without a government to protect it. and how can we 
ha\-e a Government unless we furnish men and money to pro- 
tect it. Now, I wish you to understand that I have ever felt 
a sincere regard for you and yours and that is why perhaps 
that I write to you with such seeming freedom. 

Yours with respect, 

Russ Snow. 

The emphatic tone of the above letter bears testimony to 
tlie sturdy self-reliant character which Russ brought to the 
transaction of business, both private and public. Perfectly up- 
riglit and business-like himself, he demanded equal prompt- 
ness of others, and had scant patience with those wdio were 
dilatory in the performance of their duties. He believed that 
all men should render what they owed as speedily as possible, 
and if they did not, and he was in a position to demand per- 
formance, he was cpn'ck to take whatever steps might be neces- 
sary to secure compliance. Especially was this true in such 
matters as town and district taxation, and we have an inter- 
esting — almost amusing — instance of this proclivitiy in connec- 
tion with the early school business of his district. 

Tn the year 1845 ^ "^^^' school house was to be built and 
a tax was levied upon the district t(> raise funds for its erec- 



264 

tion. Most of tlie residents of the district were prompt in 
making their payments, but some few— possibly because of 
Russ' earnestness and industry in furthering the work — re- 
fused or were dilatory. Russ was clerk of the district and 
upon him devolved the task of securing the funds. He at 
once became incensed at the delinquents and demanded imme- 
diate payment by them. Meeting with no active response, he 
set grimly and uncompromisingly at work to secure what they 
owed, and though we can now smile at the despatch with 
which he distrained their property, it v»'as doubtless no laugh- 
ing matter to his neighbors at the time, for he had justice 
upon his side and was relentless in securing it. His methods 
were effective and the following memorandum shows what ma- 
chinery he set in motion. 

Public Sale. 
By virtue of the authority vested in me I have seized 
and taken One pair of Brindle Oxen which I shall offer at 
public Sale on the loth day of October A. D. 1845 between 
the hours of 10 o'clock A. M. and 4 P. M. on the premises of 
Leicester Dewey. Said Oxen were taken as the property of 
Leicester Dewey to pay & satisfy his School House Tax in 
School district No. 7 in Brecksville Township. 

Brecksville, September 24th 1845 

Russ Snow, 
Clerk of School Dist. No. 7. 
Russ succeeded in getting his neighborhood considerably 
"by the ears" through the vigor of his school-building cam- 
paign, and it was some little time before the disturbance 
aroused thereby subsided. He derived m.uch innocent pleas- 
ure from it himself, however, and one of the results of it was 
the composition of a long poem (mock-heroic in style) in dra- 
matic form, in which he recounted his adventures, and with 
which he reealed the friends to wdiom he read it. His chil- 
dren remember and tell about its writing, and recall how he 
sat at his little desk in one corner of his sitting-room, writing 
by candle or the waning daylight, and chuckling to himself 
as he demolished some delinquent taxpayer with a metrical 
thrust. It was all in fun and he never really liked his neigh- 
bors the less, but he could not refrain from indulging in a 
little harmless ridicule and rhyming in the privacy of his own 
home. 



i 



265 

'I'he majority of the chiklrcn aiul o-randchiUlrcn oi Henry 
and Rnss Snow obtained their tirst schoohn^q^ in the "Snow- 
District" of Brecksville, the scene of Rnss' school-i^ovemment 
activities, and for that reason it has seemed that it would 1)C 
interesting- to tliem, and not inapi)ropriate to present in these 
pages some docunientary In'story of the early struggles for 
schools, as the same has been gleaned from Russ' i)apers. 
These papers are all in his handwriting, couched in a style 
\vhich was peculiar to him, and it was he who took the initia- 
ti\-e in stirring up interest and enthusiasm in the work, and in 
presiding at the meetings. Pie was a great reader and student 
for one who spent his entire life on a farm and whose oppor- 
tunities were so' limited, and he was most eager to have his 
children embrace every chance for learning that it lay in his 
power to give them. 

The first of his papers relating to the schools of Brecks- 
\-ille is a memorandum of notes made at two successive meet- 
ings of the school committee of his district, on the 21st of Oc- 
tober and the 2nd of December respectively, of the year 1844. 
At this time the erection of a school house near the intersec- 
tion of the "Snow- road" with the "State road" was in con- 
templation. 

The notes read : 
"BrkcksvillE, Oct. 21, 1844. 

At the adjourned meeting- 
Voted to accept the spot of land the committee desig- 
nated by sticking a stake on Mr. Stevenson's land. 

As Mr. Stevenson refused to sell, voted to alter the spot 
to the other side of the road, as Mr. Adams refused to sell. 

Voted to give Mr. Adams five dollars for sixteen square 
rods exclusive of the road nearly opposite the Stockers. 

Voted that the 150 dollars voted at the previous meeting 
be made payable the first day of April next. 

Voted to have Mr. Adams as a committee to furnish a 
schedule for a school house to be built of wood. 

Voted to have the meeting adjourned to first Monday 
of December next, at six o'clock P. M. at the school house at 
the East end of the district near Russ Snow's." 

"Dec. 2. 1844 

Met agreeable to adjournment. 
Voted to have brick school house. 



266 

Voted to have material put up at auction. 

Alexander Sno\v bid off the bricks at 250 cts per 1000 
at tlie kihi. 

Leicester Dewey bid off the hauhng and securing of the 
brick at 55 cts per 1000. 

A. J. Snow bid off the wall for foundation to be 18 
inches thick and t8 inches high from the ground at the high- 
est ground, to be leveled ready for securing the brick and 
pointed with lime on the outside one foot from the top and 
to face the wall 1 foot from the top, to lay foundation for 
chimney to be 6 by 7 feet leveled up to the hight of the wall 
for foundation of house for $15.00. 

Russ Snow bid off the laying of the bricks at 10-6 per 
1000, to be well tended. 

Leicester Dewey bid off tending of the mason at 6- per 
day. 

Russ Snow bid off the lime at 26 cts per bushel. 

Charles Dickinson bid off the putting in the sleepers and 
laying double floor for $4.50. 

C. Dickinson & H. H. Snow bid off the lathing & plast- 
ering over head for 5.00, to find hair." 

The arrangements for the building, planned for as above, 
apparently miscarried, for on December 19, 1844, Russ as Dis- 
trict Clerk, issued a call for a further special meeting, as fol- 
lows : 

''The house holders and resident taxpayers in school dis- 
trict No. 7, in Brecksville Township, in the County of Cuy- 
ahoga, will take notice, that a special meeting will be held on 
the eleventh day of January next at six o'clock P. M. of said 
day at the old Smith school house, down in the woods, at 
which time and place the Inhabitants of said District will take 
a vote to see if they will reconsider a vote passed Oct. 11, 
1844, to set up the materials for building a school house in 
small lots at auction. Also' to see if they will reconsider a 
vote passed Dec. 2 to have a school House built of bricks. 
Also to see if the District will vote tO' accept an agreement, 
which will be presented at said meeting, entered into with 
Moses Hunt and others to build a house of wood. Also to see 
if District will vote to pass a resolve and preamble which was 
presented at the last school meeting and acted upon but did 
not pass, (there was a tie,) the purport of which was, to see 



267 

if ihe district would vote to have religious meetings held in 

the several school houses in District No. 7 in Brecksville 

Brecksville Dec. 19, 1844 

Russ Snow, District Clerk. 
''Also to see if the District will raise money to purchase stove, 
])ay lor site, build fence and other expenses." 

Russ Snow. 

The resolution concerning the holding of religious meet- 
ings in the school houses, referred to above as having been 
voted upon but not passed, the reader v^-ill note, is the one 
v.hich appears on a ])rcvious page of this section. Russ' de- 
termination tO' carry the day in this, a pet project, is visible in 
his inserting reference to it in his call for a business meet- 
ing. It was n(jt a necessary part of the school business, but 
he was bound it should Ije, if ix>ssible. 

To one who is familiar with the story of Russ' school cam- 
paign, there is considerable significance in the absence of evi- 
dence concerning what transpired l^etwecn the issue of the 
foregoing call for a meeting on Dec. 19, 1844, and the next 
which was issued on September 22, 1845, and set for Oct. 
13th following. As a matter of fact, considerable did occur. 
It was durinir this ominous interval that Russ felt himself 
called upon to seize certain neighbors' property to enforce 
the payment of their delinquent school tax. There is a cer- 
tain pleasing grimness, too, in the expression of the purpose 
of the next meeting, to-wit : ''to reconsider all resolves 
7chich iccrc passed and kept back or detained by the Chairman 
so th.at there could not he a record made of them;" also in the 
direction that "each man will furnish his own provision," in- 
dicating apparently that the session would be long and stormy, 
(ft probably was: it was set for 10 A. M.) 

The call for this second meeting was as follows : 

"The house holders and resident taxpayers in school 
district No. 7 in Brecksville township, in the county of Cuya- 
hoga, will take notice that a special meeting will be held on 
tlie thirteenth day of October next ; the meeting \\\\\ be or- 
ganized at ten (10) o'clock A. M. at the old school House on 
Russ Snow's land, at which time and place there will be a 
vote taken to reconsider all votes which were passed on the 
19th of Sept. 1845, ^^ the annual school meeting in said dis- 



26^ 

Sn'ct of all description, name, shape, or nature, wliicli are re-^ 
t!orded on the district records, excepting one to choose a: 
Chairman and one to choose a director to fill the Board, like- 
Vv'ise to reconsider all resolves which were passed and kepi' 
back or detained by bhe Chairman so that there could not be 
a record made of them; each man- will fnrmsh his own provi- 
sion. 

Brecksville, September 22, 1845." 

Rius's Snqw, District Clerk. 

The f ollovC'ing- is a. copy of a- lease which Russ apparently- 
had prepared for one of the meetings in anticipation of se- 
curing land for a site from Augustus Adams, as mentioned 
in the first memorandum of notes, but which was never signed,, 
as all the plans proved abortive :■ 

Know all men by these presents that I, Augustus Adams., 
of the county of Cuyahoga, in th€ State of Ohio, of the first- 
part, for the consideration herein mentioned, do hereby lease 
unto Leicester Dewey, atid Russ Snow, directors of school 
district No, 7, Brecksville Township, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, 
party of the second part, and their successors and assigns, the 
following parcel of land, with all its privileges and appur- 
tenances. Viz a lot to erect a school house on, to be directly 
on the opposite side of the road from the stake stuck 011 Hugh 
Stevenson's land (by a committee ap-iwinted by said dis- 
trict) for a site for a school House, to be sixteen square rods, 
in a square piece, exclusive of the road, to have and to hold 
the same, as long as said district may choose to occupy it for 
school purposes. — And the said party, of the second part, for 
themselves, their successors and assigns, do covenant and 
agree to pay the said party of the first part, for the said prem- 
ises the sum of five dollars and interest, in six months after 
date, also to build and keep in repair a good and sufficient 
fence, to fence the same excepting on the side next to the high- 
^^ay. 

In testimony whereof, the said parties have hereunto set 
their hands and seals this 

(Seal) 
Lessor 
(Seal) 
(Seal) 
Directors of school district No. 7 Brecksville Township. 



r|».«&. 



# 



'^1 



^^i£: 




To fare p:\ffc 268. 

Rl'SS SXOW. 
In did at;e. 



26^ 

'Signed, sealed and delivered, in presence ot 

The State of Ohio, Cuyahoga County, ss. — Before me a 
Justice of the peace within and for said county, personally 
-came this day the said Augustus Adams grantor, in the above 
instrument, and acknowledged the same to be his voluntary 
act and deed, for the purposes therein expressed 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my 
•name this 

^ H: ^ =!>• * 

The last of these school papers is an annual report, pre- 
pared by Russ in his capacity as School Director, and writ- 
ten in characteristic vein. Its tenor shows that the school 
agitation was finally subsiding, but it contains one last thrust 
in the declaration that ''those who did nothing to it (the 
school), can speak for themselves." Tlie report reads; 

SCHOOL REPORT. 

The directors of Scliool district No. 7 in Brecksville 
township. Cuyahoga County, Ohio, report, that there has been 
taught in this district during the past year, three months com- 
mon school by Edmund Bartlett. The average number of 
scholars attending the school taught was 32. The directors 
paid said Bartlett forty dollars out of the common school 
fund which was the amount of his wages, and wdiich is the 
amount received by this district, during the last year, from 
the public funds of all descriptions; and there remains in the 
treasury of said funds the sum of dollars. 

The branches taught were reading, writing, arithmetic, 
grammar, geography, chemistry, philosophy and spelling. 
We have heard no fault found with the Master and he found 
none with the scholars, but gave them all a good name with 
the exception of one whom he said made some disturbance in 
school, but we forbear to mention the name hoping a similar 
occurance will not soon take place in our school. The House 
was a miserable one, but the best we could get; it was an old 
log house entirely too small, which a part of the district re- 
paired at their own expense. Made a new chimney, laid a 
floor overhead, put in a door, wdndows &c. Those who did 
nothing to it can speak for themselves. Those who furnished 
wood for school, were Lemuel Bourne, Moses Hunt, Charles 



2/0 

Dewey, Charles Dickenson, Erastus Smith, Linas Hudson, 
Leicester Dewey, John Righter, Riiss Snow. Those who did 
pot were Hugh Stephenson, Edward Rust, Amos Stocker, 
H. H. Snow. Mr. Adams has given us a deed of the site 
voted by the district for a school house but Mr. Hunt refuses 
to buiki the same as per agreement. The sum raised by the 
district for building school house is $195.00. 

Russ Snow, 
School Director. 

From a slioit history of the schools of Brecksville, writ- 
ten by Frank N. Wilcox, the husband of Jessie (Snow^) Wil- 
cox, W'hen he was a young man, we learn that the first school 
in Brecksville Township was taught in the spring of the year 
1816. Of the Snow district he wrote: "No. 7 or the Snow 
district was organized in 1846. Three houses have been 
erected in that district — the one used and three log houses — 
one standing near the home of Owen Snow and the other on 
the hill where stands the house now owned by Adam Boles." 

Although the district was finally organized in 1846, we have 
just seen from Russ' papers that negotiations and meetings 
for that purpose had been conducted with only partial success 
during the two preceding years. Nor was the first school in 
the district taught in 1846. There had been teaching for sev- 
eral years but no oflicial organization. The first actual school 
w^as tauglit by Louisa Snow W^illett, Henry Snow's oldest 
daughter, shortly after the coming- of her family to Brecks- 
ville in 1836. She taught in the barn of her uncle, Russ. The 
first of the log school houses occupied the site where now 
stands "Owen Snow's pine grove." The second stood upon 
the first knoll east of the present home of Adam Boles, that 
is, immediately east of "the poplar and weeping willow" at the 
foot of tlie Boles Hill. The site picked for the school which 
was in contemplation, but never built, at the time of Russ' 
school campaign, was on the land of Hugh Stevenson, on the 
north side of the "Snow road" and about midway between 
the Hunt anrl Mackey places. This was the geographical cen- 
ter of No. 7 district. Some of Russ' opponents desired a 
school even nearer the "State road," but this, of course, he 
opposed most vigorously, as he lived at the east extreme of 
the district, and his children would have been obliged to go 



271 

to the other. The chstrict extended horn his east hne to the 
intersection of the ''Miller road" witli the "State road." The 
result of the contest was the erection of two school houses. 
one near Rnss' east line, the i)res8nt Snow school proper, orig- 
inally ul Ijrick, and one on the "State road," also of brick, and 
still standing. The subsequent demands of the district made 
this result eminently fortunate, and the opposition which was 
created b}- Russ' activity in the schodl business finally died 
out forever, as did also the resentment which was engendered 
by his eager participation in e\'erything so shortly after his 
settlement in the neighborhood. The earlier residents had at 
first regarded it as an intrusion into their ])rivate affairs. 

***** 

An amusing incident, illustrative of Russ' familiarity 
with religious topics and the Bible, is told by Corwin Snow, 
who says : 

"Grandfather Russ visited us at the hamlet of Bclvidere. 
111., in the Autumn of 1848. On his return to Brecksville, O.. 
iMother. Sister Louise and myself accompanied him. Steam- 
boat was taken at Chicago for Cleveland, and canal-boat at 
Cleveland for Boston. xAmong the passengers from Chicago 
was a minister with whom "Uncle Russ" became acc[uaintcd. 
During one of their many visits. Grandfather quoted a pass- 
age of the Scripture. The Reverend gentleman denied the 
existence of such words in the Bible. "Uncle Russ" an- 
nounced his surprise that the minister of the Gospel was not 
better acquainted with the Holy Bible. The Reverend reit- 
erated his statement that there was no such thing between the 
lids of the Book and charged grandfather with intent tn 
falsify and deceive. It happened that "Uncle Russ" and 1 
were seated just to the left of mother's stateroom window^ 
and she had been one of the listeners — and at this juncture 
she extended her arm from the w'indow, over my little head, 
and said: "Here is the Bible, Pa." "Ah well! Thank you. 
Charlotte," said he, and he soon found the passa^re and read 
it. The angry Reverend walked away much discomfited, to 
the ar.msement of the other passengers." 

In spite of his rugged ways and freedom of expression, 
his impatience with the backward, the ignorant and idle, and 
his tendency to become exasperated with those who differed 



272 

from him in opinion, Riiss Snow was a gentle and kindly man. 
He was hospitable and generous to the stranger, and allowed 
none, not even the meanest, to pass his door without rest and 
entertainment. He was helpful and tender with the innocent 
and afflicted, and he loved animals and little children. 

His granddaughter, Jessie (Snow) Wilcox, tells of his 
gentleness to her when she was a little child and he a very 
old man. Upon one occasion, when she had broken a dish 
and been rebuked for it, she took refuge behind a door 
where he found her crying. He seemed to be greatly touched 
by her grief and at once sought tO' comfort her, telling her 
not to feel so badly about it, and assuring her that accidents 
were bound to happen once in a while for which there could 
be no help, thereby relieving at once the bitterness of her 
childish, but none the less, serious trouble. 

As another example of his gentleness she relates that it 
was his habit to seat himself on the steps every evening, after 
the evening meal, with a piece of bread that he slowly crumbled 
and fed to the birds which came fluttering down in response 
to his call. 

He was also very fond of sheep and in his old age spent 
many hours among them in the pastures, whither he often 
carried a pail of salt water and a broom made of grasses with 
which he sprinkled the weeds to entice the sheep to eat and 
eradicate them. He soent a great deal of time there, too, with 
axe and grub hoe, digging and rooting up bushes and noxious 
growths, which he called "killing mischief." 

All his life long he was a moderate user of chewing to- 
bacco (he never smoked), and he raised and cured his own 
tobacco. With the aid of a rich thick syrup of sugar he made 
this tobacco into little black balls about the size of a walnut, 
rolling and pressing the leaves till the mass was strong and 
solid. These balls were then put away on a tray to dry, and 
one would last a long time. He always carried one of them 
in his pocket, and sliced off a piece with his jack-knife when 
he wanted to use some, instead of biting it. Some of the 
dried leaves of his tobacco were in existence in the Brick 
House "shop" not many years since. 

Russ Snow was a large-framed man, bigger than either 
of his sons, and before the coming of age was heavy and 
strong. For many years before his death his hair was white. 







L 




m 

V-i 
O 

hH 

o 
u: 

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O CO 



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(/5 rt 



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be 

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His face was smooth shaven. He always shaved himself and 
did so the last week- of his life. In teni])ei' he was strong- 
willed, but the curb which he had u])on himself was equally 
strong-, and this control but accentuated his gentler and more 
gracious qualities. His life was certainly successful. The 
spirit and courage of it are well illustrated in his readiness 
to forego a prosperous business and a comfortable home for 
a long remove and a life in the woods of a new country; and 
its results appear in the profit taken from his example by 
a large and numerous and happy family. 

He died at the age of 86 years at the home of his son, 
Heiu-y Holland Snow. This house was built near the Brick- 
House in Brecksville in 1864, and here he had spent his last 
years. His death occurred on January 8, 1875. a day of bit- 
ter cold. He was buried in a little neighborhood cemetery in 
the adjoining town of Richfield. 



274 

CHILDREN OF RUSS SNOW AND RUTH HIBBARD. 

Russ Snow, unlike his brother Henry, had a compara- 
tively small family of children, two sons and three daughters. 
The second child and second daughter, Jane Elizabeth, died 
when she was nineteen years old, and the youngest, Orpha 
Hibbard, in her thirty-third year, unmarried. These two girls 
were both victims of tuberculosis and it was principally be- 
cause he feared the effect of the Maine climate upon his fam- 
ily that Russ removed to Ohio, as has been indicated in other 
parts of this book. But even as it was, he was not able to 
shake off the clutch of the disease entirely, for Jane died in 
1839, only four years after the establishment of the family 
in Ohio. 

Not a gTeat deal can be written concerning Jane and 
Orpha, because of their early deaths. The story of the life of 
Charlotte Snow has been told in the pages devoted to the life 
of her husband, Alexander Snow, and this sectiou of the book, 
consequently, will be taken up principally with the families 
of Owen and Holland. 



CHARLOTTE LOUISE SNOW. 

1819-1905. 

(First Child of Russ Snow.) 

Charlotte Louise Snow was born at Atkinson, Me., Jan- 
uary 6, 1 8 19, and was married to Alexander Jameson Snow, 
her cousin, January 5, 1839. She died at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 
April 16, 1905. A sketch of her life will be found on page 
127 of this book, letters written by her on page 129, et seq., 
and reference to her children on page 134. Sketches of their 
lives will be found on the respective pages indicated below. 

CHILDREN. 

I. I. CORWIN RUSS, born Sept. 14, 1841. Seepage 134. 
I. 2. LOUISE WILLETT, born April 9, 1843; died Jan. 

I, 1882. See pages 134 and 137. 
I. 3. LOUIS VIMONT, born Feb. 28, 1845; died May 

27, 1848. See page 134. 



275 

I. 4. K.\rV. VRAXCES, born May 14, 1851. See pages 

134 and 139. 
]. 5. PM^EDEKIC ^IJIBBARI), born Feb. 8, 1854. See 

pages 1^4 and 143. 
I. 6. LOTTIE MAUDE ROSEBELLE. born Aug. 17, 

1S62; (lied Dec. 30, 1865. See page 134. 



2y6 

II. 

JANE ELIZABETH SNOW. 

1 820- 1 839. 

(Second child of Russ Snow.) 

Jane Elizabeth Snow, the second child and daughter of 
Russ Snow and Ruth Hibbard, was born at Atkinson, Me., 
April I, 1820. She was a gay, sprightly and talkative girl 
and of sweet temper. She was fifteen years old when her 
parents moved to Ohio. Her happy life ended four years 
later, her death occurring June 23, 1839, at Brecksville. She 
was buried in the adjoining town of Richfield. 

Jane attended school at Foxcroft Academy in Maine for 
some months before the removal of her family to Ohio, and 
the following is a copy of a certificate of qualification for 
teaching which was issued to her in that year. 

Foxcroft Academy, May 25th, 1835. 
Miss Jane Snow has been attending the academy during 
the past term & I deem her qualification such as to answer 
the requirements of the laws of this state with respect to dis- 
trict schools. WiivUAM H. NoPES. 

The following little sketches, entitled, "Summer" and 
"Absence." are copies of manuscripts in Jane's handwriting, 
presumably two of her compositions, and now in the possession 
of Corwin R. Snow. 

SUMMER. 

When summer appears, everything is springing up around 
us in green healthiness; and beautiful flowers are filling the 
air with sweet odours. The days are much longer than they 
were in spring and much warmer. The busy farmers are em- 
ployed in making hay and harvesting their grain. Soft and 
refreshing showers, sometimes accompanied with thunder and 
lightning, are frequent. The breezes of morning are min- 
gled with the songs of a thousand various birds which frequent 
the groves. Jane E. Snow. 

ABSENCE. 

Absence is the best test of affection. Though it will not 
always extinguish nor always fan it to a flame, it generally 



does one of them. It. however, has different effects upon 
(hfferent persons. In a mind of ardent temperament, if the 
spark be dcci)ly rooted, it kindles to a fiame ; if it l)c hut the 
thrilhng a(hniration of a moment, a few shc^rt hours and the 
succession o\ a few new ghtteriniJ^ olijects will erase the faint 
impression. In the youtliful mind whatever depression may 
w^eigh upon the spirits; whatever despondency may darken 
the bosom ; and whatever disappointments may have wrung 
the heart or soured the finer feelings ; the buoyancy of youth 
and tlie \i\i(l brightness of kindling fancy will lift the soul 
above grovelling thoughts of sorrow and bear it to an elysium 
of its own creating. Even the adoration of a long cherished 
passion cannot exist beneath its spell. 

Jane E. Snow, 



27^ 

III. 

OWEN PAYSON SNOW. 

1823-1905. 

(Third child of Russ Snow.) 

Owen Payson Snow, first son and third child of Rus5; 
Snow and Ruth Hibbard, was born at Atkinson, Maine, Sept„ 
15, 1823. He was twelve years old when his parents came 
to Ohio. He married Frances Fay Eaton, Oct. 22, 1851, at 
Brecksville, Ohio. She was born at Syracuse, N. Y., Aug, 
18, 1835, the daughter of Horace Fay and Roxana Eaton. 
O'wen P. Snow was all his life a farmer and with the excep- 
tion of a short period (1894-1896) resided continuously in 
Brecksville, Ohio, from the time of his settlement there un- 
til his death, which occurred at the "Brick House," May 12, 
1905. 

The following is an especially true and excellent apprecia- 
tion of Owen Snow and his wife, for it was written by 
their son-in-law and family physician. Dr. Wm. A. Knowlton. 
whose long association with the Snow family, as a doctor and 
as a member of its circle, has given him an unusual oppor- 
tunity to understand, and an equal ability to tell, the facts. 

"Owen Snow was strong physically and mentally. He 
was of medium height, full-chested. His head was large and 
well-shaped. He wore his beard full and long. His personal 
appearance was striking and realized one's idea of a pa- 
triarch of old — the head of a tribe. And in his nature, his 
character, his life, he measured up to his personal appear- 
ance. His chief delight was in the happiness of others. He 
was a great lover of children and of young people. He loved 
home and in his advanced years to see him at home, the cen- 
tre of a gathering of children and grandchildren and neigh- 
bors' children, was a sight to make one feel that life is worth 
the living. Young people from all around liked to gather at 
his house, and its good cheer and hospitality can never be 
forgotten. 

"Mr. Snow was a lover of nature. He took great pleas- 
ure in domestic animals, especially their young, and birds, 
flowers, trees, fields ; in short, life in its varied forms was to 
him ever attractive and the source of enjoyment. He looked 




To face page 278. 



OWKN PAYSON SNOW. 



279 

into the sky and in qniet talk with friends often spcjke of 
the wonders it contains. 'IMiere was a kiri:;;e element of hu- 
mor in his nature, lie liked to hear a <^ood story and could 
tell one. He greatly enjoyed music and harmless sport and 
in his younger days liked a square horse trade as well as 
David Harum. He was an unpretentious and thoughtful 
man rmd withal much of a philosopher, and had views of his 
own about the worlds and about life and futurity. He be- 
lieved in enjoying life and was accordingly mirthful and 
cheerful, and those around him felt the influence of his pres- 
ence. Take him for all in all. few better men have lived. 

"Airs. Owen Snow is a woman of decided native ability, 
and is possessed of a large fund of good common sense. A 
model housewife, a model mother. Probably few were ever 
better mated than Owen Snow and his wife. They shared a 
common purpose to make a true home, to make life enjoyable 
for others and to enjoy life themselves. Her native musical 
talent as shown in her remarkable performance on the violin 
added much to the pleasures and cheerfulness of home life, 
and to the many gatherings beneath their roof. Their home 
w-as a real home. They were self poised, self controlled. 
There was no quarreling, scolding, ill-natured words nor fret- 
ting. Their settled purpose seemed to be to make the best of 
life in this world and look on the bright side of things. 

"Mrs. Snow at seventy-two is clear in mind, actively 
helpful, loved by her children and fairly worshipped by her 
grandchildren. She can yet make the violin hum so as to 
'put life and metal in the heels.' " 



28o 

FRANCES FAY (EATON) SNOW. 
(Wife of Owen P. Snow.) 

The Eaton family came from Connecticut to New York, 
where Roxana Eaton married Horace Fay. They had five 
children, the youngest of whom was Frances Fay, born Au- 
gust 1 8, 1835, at Syracuse. When she was four months old 
her mother died and she was adopted by her uncle, Origen 
Eaton, who moved to Brecksville, Ohio, v/hen she was one 
year old. Her uncle had five children, the oldest of whom, 
also Origen, was ten years older than Frances. When he was 
seventeen he bought a violin, which the children called "Old 
Wooden," and which he cautioned little "Fanty" not to play 
with. One day he came home and heard "Bonny Doon" be- 
ing played on his cherished instrument. He crept upstairs 
in the direction of the music, and found Frances, aged seven, 
sitting on the floor with the violin. After that he told her to 
play on it all she wished, and in a month she was a better per- 
former than he. An old violinist, Sylvester White, who 
played for dances, taught her his melodies, and she used to 
play with him. 

She attended the district school, till she was fifteen, and 
taught when she was sixteen. The same year she was married 
to Owen Snow by Squire Rich, of Brecksville. Another wed- 
ding was celebrated the same day, that of Owen's brother, 
Holland. The brothers took their brides home to the Brick 
House, where they all lived happily with their parents for 
some years. . 

The portrait of Frances Fay Snow, presented here and 
taken in her seventy-second year, shows the unusual manner 
of holding the violin which is peculiarly her own. Having 
had no lessons, she learned tO' play by ear when a child and 
held the instrument in the way most convenient for her. The 
violin shown in the picture is the one presented by her father 
when she was eight years old, and the one she has always 
used. 

Mrs. Snow has a remarkably accurate ear, a perfect 
sense of rhythm, a true and distinctive appreciation of good 
and pure music, and herself plays with a sweetness of tone 
that is rare, and especially so in one who has had no instruc- 
tion. The old dance melodies in her hands are transformed 
from mere waltzes to charming and interesting music, while 




T(i face page 280. 



I'KAXCKS I-AV (KATON) SNOW. 
WIFE OF 0. P. SNOW. 



2£l 



k»sin^j;' nothii'ic;- of their insjiirntion to rliythmic movement. 

M. K. \V. 
jXnothcr ^\ riter who understood and Imed Owen Snow, 
is his nephew. i'"rederici< li. Sncnv, son of his sister Char- 
lotte, wlio wrote the following interesting and appreciative let- 
ter u])on the occasion of the receipt of an invitation to attend 
the 49th anniversary of Owen Snow''s wedding, and in re- 
sponse thereto : 

Chadwick, 111., Oct. 18. 1900. 
Dear Cousin EiiiDia. 

I received your card inviting me to the Brick House in 
Brecksville to yonr Fatlver and Alother's 49th u^edding anni- 
versary. I know of nothing ] would enjoy more than to be 
present, and would, if I could see my way clear to leave my 
business and duties, here in Chadwick. When I come east I 
would like to stay longer than just over night, wdiich would be 
all the time I could get away from here, now. How time 
flies! and how much faster it seem.s to go as one grows older. 
It seems only a short time ago, as I look back to the many en- 
joyable times I have had at Uncle Owen's and at the old Brick 
House, \vhen we called it Grand Pa's, and you all lived there. 
Grandma I don't remember so much about, hut Grandpa and 
Aunt Orpha and Uncle Holland, wlio are gone, are each one 
treasured in my memory. I can remember when a boy Aunl 
Orpha persuaded me to stay all night on my way home from 
school. I was a little fellow and Uncle Holland took charge 
of me when it came to go tO' bed, and put me in bed with 
Aunt Alary and Amanda so I wouldn't get cold. I was going 
to say this was the first time I ever stayed there adl night, but 
I suppose it wasn't, for I have been told that I was born in 
the northwest bed-room. Be that as it may, I believe I went 
home the next mornins: to see mv mother before going to 
school You know I used to be a great mother boy, and used 
to say I was going to do as Veranus Dewey did, when I got 
to be a man, live with my mother. 

Ur.cle Owen and Aunt Frank always made it pleasant 
for me as a boy, lad, and man tO' be at their house. Do you 
remember the btttter and sugar, how good it w'as ? Of course, 
occasionally a dose of picra, and your father's song. "This 
little pig went to market." Then later on, when I was big 



282 

enough to drive, Uncle always had a team, if us young folks 
wanted to go to singing school or lodge. Old Rod was 
usually one of the horses, and the bob-sled or the big buggy 
as we called it ; and by the way, I asked my wife to have me 
in that old buggy. And oh, wdiat roads that night ! We went 
to flomer Barnes" birthday party. The horses lost off three 
shoes in the mud. It cost Uncle some money and trouble to 
get them shod again, but he found no fault, and was just as 
ready to let us have the team next time. Such things didn't 
]>other him. He would say, "It doesn't matter," or, "We are 
all prepared for it," or if his new harness got wet and muddy, 
he would say, "Oh well, it will stand it better than the old one 
would." 

Then of an evening when we would gather in at your 
house. Uncle was e^•er ready for a dance ; and your mother 
could always be persuaded to play for us. I always thought 
she could play just a little better than any one else. I don't 
suppose you remember, but I do, the night you introduced me 
to Helen Hannum, wdiile we were having a dance in the par- 
lor. Can Uncle dance the double shuffle as well as ever? I 
never could see how he did it, I couldn't. I tried it a good 
many times, all alone, out at the barn by myself. 

Oh well ! you and the friends will have another very 
pleasant time next Saturday, and I don't doubt that if Uncle 
Owen can get you started, you will have a dance, and a good 
time generally. Tell your father and mother for me that I 
hope they will have just as many returns of this happy day 
to them as they can wish. 

Now a word as to myself and family. I am well and get- 
ting fat. Helen is good natured and happy, and has quite 
good health, is doing her own housework at present. Louis is 
well, is at Mount Vernon attending school; likes his school, 
and is having a good time. Mr. Hannum seems as well as 
ever, gets around quite spry, takes a little exercise and reads 
a great deal. Is as strong a Prohibitionist as ever, gets out 
of patience with nie because I will vote with the Republicans. 
The Prohibitionists are advocating a good cause, but will 
never win. and I can't go Bryanism, so I shall do- all I can to 
prevent him being elected. Our state will give McKinley a 
large majority, and so will Ohio, of course. 



283 

We p.re liaving line weather, only one frost to amount to 
anything-; that was the 15th. The crops are abundant, and 
prices arc good. Consequently, farmers are happy and con- 
tented. 

With all the good wishes that 1 can think of, to you all, 
p.nd especially to Uncle and Aunt, I will close — 

Please write to Cousin Fred. 



2^ 

THE BRICK HOUSE. 

BY M.VRGARET KNOWLTON WILCOX. 

Any one who has never spent a Christmas in the old 
"Brick House" on the "Snow Road" deserves much commis- 
eration. To one who has spent his childhood Christmases- 
there, all others seem but pale imitations. Of course, the 
twenty-fifth of December comes round, he realizes the fact,, 
and expects to celebrate in some fashion ; but as for its being' 
really and truly Christmas — h& might as well imagine himself 
m Mars. ^ 

Picture to yourself, if you please, an old-fashioned coun- 
try snow storm, with the air just tingling enough to nip ears 
and toes, and make cheeks rosy. The relatives are assem- 
bling from far and near, some driving, the city members ar- 
riving on the "four-thirty," Christmas eve. There is much 
jingling of sleigh bells to greet them, and a big voice calling- 
out, "Pile right in, plenty of room in the bob for everybody!"" 
There is a great deal of laughing and packing of presents and 
people into the straw and under blankets, and the load starts 
off merrily in the crisp night. When the horses have valiantly 
struggled up the "Big Hill," passed the little white school- 
house, and farther on, the "Other House," the hilarity in the 
bob reaches its height, and singing can no longer be restrained 
in spite of danger to throats. 

Now from the Brick House the lights shine out over the 
snow, and to the tune of "Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the 
way," sung by a dozen voices, the horses dash into the yard, 
the doors are flung open, and the earlier arrivals flock out to 
meet the newcomers. 

"There's Grandpa and Grandma!" shouts a small boy, 
and "Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!" cries everybody, 
as Grandpa with his snowy beard and twinkling eyes comes 
out with his quiet but hearty welcome, and Grandma expresses 
the general happiness by executing a dance on the porch. 
With much embracing and stamping of snow, the visitors 
troop in, stow away their wraps, and after much flitting about 
and mysterious whispering in corners, settle down to supper, 
which tastes better than anything ever did before. 

Then arises the yearly discussion as to whether the pres- 
ents are to be forthcoming tonight or tomorrow. The nu- 
merous grandchildren have much to say, pro and con, and fi- 



285 

xiallv a vote has to be taken. If it is to be tonight, the door of 
Jhe "j)arli)r !jc(h-(uini" is l)ai"ricacled for some time, while the 
ciiildrcn dnnce al)out and declare they can't wait, and they wdsh 
Jjicy were an dd aunt or an uncle and could trim the tree. 
They vibrate between the parlor where a crackling- tire is roar- 
ing- up the cliimney of the great fire-place, and the cold 
"cheese-room," to gaze and snitY at the shelves of forbidden 
home-made candy, doughnuts and pies. 

At last the locked door flies open, a triumi}hal march is 
struck up on the organ, and the procession files in. In the 
middle of the floor stands a Christmas tree reaching to the 
ceiling, gay with candles and strings of popcorn and cran- 
berries, and stacked all around it heaps and heaps of presents. 

Grandpa, who has been piling more logs on the fire, is 
put into a chair, with Grandma, vvho is finally persuaded to sit 
-still a minute, beside him. The children stand gazing at the 
tree with awe or delight, according to their ages, as a suspi- 
cious jingling of bells sounds outside. The very little chil- 
dren run to Mamma or to Grandma as a rattling is heard in 
the parlor bedroom fire place, which has been closed up. Soon 
with much shaking of snow and jolly laughter, Santa Glaus 
bursts out, receives a royal welcome, and distributes the pres- 
ents. 

When it is all over, it is bed-time, and the dozens of peo- 
ple are stowed aw-ay comfortably, for the house always ac- 
commodates itself to any number. 

If tomorrow has been decided upon for the presents, 
small white figures are very early astir to examine the row of 
bulgy stockings hanging by the fire place. There is no sleep 
after this for aunts and uncles, who must rise to the occa- 
sion and breakfast, where mountains of Grandma's pancakes 
rapidly diminish to mole-hills. 

After breakfast there is coasting, snowballing and skat- 
ing for the children, who are well out of the way while the 
aunts help Grandma with the dinner. 

Each year this feature is better than the last, till it seems 
as if Grandma's w'onders of cooking would never cease. The 
rest of the afternoon is spent in reminiscences of it, enjoy- 
ment of the candy, and anticipation of the popcorn, nuts and 
apples. There are the presents to look over once more and 
show everybody else, and many new games to try. Grandma 



286 

is the most popular member of the family when it comes to 
these, and is in great demand as a partner for California 
Jack, Parchesi, or Old Sledge. Grandpa entertains the circle 
around the fireplace with stories and quaint old songs, a never 
ending delight. 

When the lamps are lighted there is a general call for 
music, and the violin appears like magic. Fanny takes her 
place at the little old fashioned organ, Ned and Frank bring 
out their mouth organs, and Grandma with her violin, is the 
center of attraction. At first there is some attempt on the 
part of the rest of the family to keep still, but when the "Irish 
Washerwoman" and "Old Zip Coon" are struck up, first one 
foot beats, time then another, and presently the rooms are 
cleared for dancing. On the red parlor carpet, worn smooth 
with many quadrilles, out in the large sitting room, even on 
the wide kitchen boards, the feet fly merrily. One calls for 
"Money-musk," another for "Arkansas Traveller," till Grand- 
ma is tired out and the rest drop panting into their chairs. 

So ends another joyful holiday, and as the firelight flick- 
ers on the walnut doors and massive window casements, this 
happy family circle realizes that there will not be another 
Christmas for a whole year, that in the morning the holly and 
mistletoe will come down, and each one return to his duties. 
It makes them loathe to separate for the night, and they linger 
around the fireplace, anxious to get the very last drop of fun 
out of the day. 

They will carry away with them many happy memories, 
but chiefly that of Grandpa and Grandma : the man so kindly, 
so tolerant, with quiet humor, and love for children; never 
harsh or repellant, always inviting, especially to children, vv^ho 
would sit on his knees and listen to> his songs and stories by 
the hour, or wait with delicious dread for a "tan toasting"; 
the woman so lively and capable, but always feminine, enter- 
ing into all the fun with ready interest, equally ready with 
sympathy and help in time of trouble; always busy, but never 
in a hurry ; and with the sweetest, gentlest voice, which never 
spoke crossly. 

It is not only the family who will always have pleasant 
memories of Grandpa and Grandma, but many friends, who 
know them as Aunt Frank and Uncle Owen. In winter, and 
in summer, when the grass was green in the great yard and 







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287 

the myrtle flourished under the pines, the Brick House was 
open to friends as well as chikhxn, g-randcliikh'en and great- 
grandchildren. All the delights of apple gathering in the hig 
nrchnrds, the nutting season, haying and threshing were shared 
with visitors. They were taken into the family and made much 
of. The Brick House has held more joyful gatherings than 
any other place that the family knows of, so that "Snowville" 
has l)ecome typical of happiness. 

But where would the joyfulness have been were it not 
for the host and hostess? It is their gentle influence which 
has made everyone love the old place. Though Grandpa mod- 
estly referred everything to "Wife," it was the combination 
of these two dear, unusual souls which made the place so in- 
dividual and lovable. 



CHILDREN. 
(Of Owen P. and Frances Fay (Eaton) Snow.) 

III. I. EMMA ROVENA, b. Feb. 24, 1854, at the Brick 
House ("East Room"), Brecksville, O. ; m. 
Chas. Oliver Bartlett, Oct. i, 1873. 

HI. 2. EDWIN FAY, b. Aug. 22, 1855, Brecksville; d. 
May 5, 1858. 

III. 3. CHARLIE AvSHMAN, b. July 29, 1857. Brecks- 
ville; d. May 8, 1858. 

HI. 4. FANNY ELECTA, b. June 13, 1859, at the Brick 
House ("Parlor bed-room"), Brecksville; m. 
Wm. A. Knowlton, M. D., Aug. 3, 1881. 

III. 5. KARL FRANK, b. Dec. 14, 1862, at the Brick 
House ("Parlor bed-room"), Brecksville; m. 
Katie Etta Brooks, Dec. 25. 1884. 

III. 6. MINABEL. b. Aug. 30. 1864, at the Brick House 
("Parlor bed-room"), Brecksville. 

HI. 7. NED PAYSON, b. May .11, 1866, at the Brick 
House ("Parlor"), Brecksville; m. Mary Ham- 
ilton, Nov. 16, 1890. 

HI. 8. FRANK KNOWLTON, b. June 24, 1880, at the 
Brick House ("Parlor bed-room") ; m. Laura 
Bell, April 6, 1904. 



III. I. EMMA ROVENA (SNOW) BARTLETT. 
(Dau. Owen, Russ, Benjamin.) 

Emma Rovena Snow was born in the "East Room" of 
the Brick House (built by Russ Snow in 1845), ^t Brecks- 
ville, Ohio, on the 24th of February, 1854. She was married 
to Charles Oliver Bartlett, Octol>er i, 1873. He was born 
at Strongsville, Ohio, July 14, 1850, the son of Charles Oliver 
Bartlett. 

Margaret K. Wilcox, niece of Mrs. Bartlett, has written 
of her aunt, as well as of her mothers other sister and broth- 
ers. Of the first she says : 

"Our elders corroborate our speculations that Emma Ro- 
vena was a very pretty girl. History does not whisper how 
many hearts she shattered with the blue eyes and rosy cheeks 
that her daughters have inherited, but states demurely that she 




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289 

passed the nnc\cniful life of a country inaidcii, finishing 
school and also a certain young man who came to work on 
her father's farm in the intervals of school teaching. His 
name was Charles Oliver Bartlett. and he ])ersuaded Aliss 
Emma that it was a very good name — good enough to accept. 

"They hegan tlieir married life 1)\' teaching school to- 
gether, tlien settled at "Uncle Alec's old ]jlace"" on the "Snow 
Road." Later the}' moved to Cleveland, where Mr. Bartlett 
went into the lousiness of manufacturing mill machinery witk 
his brother-in-law. K. F. Snow. The business has grown 
steadily, till now it is one of tiie large concerns of Cleveland, 
and the name of "The C. O. Bartlett and Snow Co." accom- 
])anics machinery to various parts of the world. 

"Mr. Bartlett is not only interested in his business, but 
occupies himself with other affairs as well. Among other 
things he has given much time to the cause of prohibition. 
Being a strong temperance man he early interested his family 
and friends in the work of establishing temperance lodges, and 
accomplished a great deal of good by his zeal and labor. 

"Instead of 'doing somebody for something' he is always 
doing something for somebody, and is one of the best hearted 
men ever made. In this he is very similar to his wife, the 
kindest of women. In fact, the Bartletts seem to be overflow- 
ing with hospitable good will and friendliness, and everyone 
who comes within the range of their jolly heartiness cannot 
fail to be cheered and benefited. 

"One of their many attractions is their ((uartet of wdn- 
some children. Inspired by their parents to a love of achieve- 
ment, they h.ave distinguished themselves in school and out 
of it by their brightness, originality and general ability, add- 
ing much to whatever community they are in, and making 
it the better for their influence. 

"Their oldest daughter, Jennie, after finishing her Cleve- 
land education w^ith a year of college in New York, married 
Benjamin Piatt Forbes, a prosperous young business man, 
who has recently moved from Cleveland tO' Lititz, Pa., with his 
wife and two children. 

"Minnie, the second daughter, soon after graduating from 
the Cleveland High Schools, married Walter Scott Lister, a 
successful lawyer. They have remained in Cleveland, and 
ha^•e four children. 



290 

"The third daughter, Amy, and Charles Owen, the young- 
est, who is still in school, are at home, which has again shifted 
from. Cleveland to Brecksville and the Brick House, built by 
Mrs. Bartlett's grandfather, Russ Snow. 

"Here, where Miss Emma was courted and Mrs. Emma 
is now mistress, the family lives pleasantly, entertaining many 
delighted guests, chief among whom are their charming grand- 
children, who must, I think, grow up with the idea that 
'Grandpa' and 'Grandma' are almost as young as 'Papa' and 
'Mamma.' " M. K. W. 

CHILDREN. 

la. Jennie Snow BartlETT. b. June 29. 1874. at the Brick 

House ("Parlor"), Brecksville; m. Benj. P. Forbes, 

Sept. 28, 1898. 
lb. Minnie Frances BarteETT, b. Nov. 18, 1876, at the 

Brick House ("Parlor"), Brecksville; m. Walter S. 

Lister, May 18, 1898. 
ic. Amy Louise BartlETT, b. June 2j, 1888 (Fish Ave.), 

Cleveland, O. 
id. ChareES Owen BartlETT, b. July 2, 1895 (124 Ma- 

pledale), Cleveland. 

la. Jennie S. (Bartleff) Forbes was born in the 
parlor of the Brick House at Brecksville, Ohio, June 29, 
1874. She is a woman of strong character and interesting 
personality, has a fine mind and is a great reader. She is 
gracious in manner, of attractive speech and fills her home with 
an earnest Christian spirit that will make it a fortunate and 
happy place in which to rear her children. She was married 
to Benjamin Piatt Forbes in Cleveland. Sept. 28, 1898. Mr. 
Forbes, who is manager of a chocolate manufacturing com- 
pany in Lititz. Pa., was born at Olena, Huron Co,, Ohio-, April 
13, 1873, the son of Carlos Forbes. Children: Elton Bartlett 
Forbes, b. Aug. 29, 1902; Janet Forbes, b. Oct. 17, 1906. 

lb. Minnie Frances (Bartlett) Lister was born in the 
"parlor" of the Brick House at Brecksville, Nov. 18, 1876. 
She was married to Walter Scott Lister, May 18, 1898. He 
was born March 3, 1871, at Windham, Johnson Co., Iowa, 
the son of James Lister. Mr. Lister is a successful lawyer 
and businessman, and has the happy faculty of making every 
one his friend. 

Mrs. Lister is a sweet tempered and gentle wife and 




T(i face page 2Qi. 

DR. W. A. AND FANNY (SNOvV) KNOWI/PON. 
DONALD KNOWLTON. 



2gi 

niullier. She is exceed ini;iy capal)le in her home, always 
cheerful and possessed of tine poise. She has a sincere and 
attracli\e way of greeting e\'erybody and fills a charming home 
with a s])irit thai is bright and sunny. Children: Walter 
Bartlett Lister, b. at Cleveland, Sept. 29, 1899; Alice Fay Lis- 
ter, b. at Cleveland, Nov. 23, 1901 ; Fanny Snow Lister, b. at 
Cleveland Aug. 6, 1904; James McKenzie Lister, b. .Mar. 9, 
1907. 



in. 4. FANNY (SNOW) KNOWLTON. 

(Dau. Owen, Russ. Benjamin.) 
Fanny Electa Snow^ was born in the "parlor bed-room" 
of the Brick House at Brecksville on June 13, 1859. She was 
married to Dr. William A. Knowlton, August 3, 1881. He 
was born at Olmstead Falls, May 16, 1839, the son of Wil- 
liam Knowdton, M. D. 

Fanny Snow^ was not at all strong. when a young- girl, so 
she may have escaped some of the more arduous duties of the 
farm household and enjoyed more time for music, wdiich was 
a second nature to her. Her talent in this direction exhibited 
itself so very early that we have not much difficulty in be- 
He\-ing' her mother when she affirms that "Fanny could carry 
a tune correctly when she w-as sixteen months old. She 
learned to do wonders w'ith the little cabinet organ, as well as 
sing; and an old music master impressing- upon her parents 
the advisability of giving her larger opportunities, she went 
to Oberlin with her cousin Amanda. There she studied at the 
Conservatory and later in Cleveland, perfecting herself in pi- 
ano, organ, voice, the theory of music and studying violin. 
She taught music successfully in Cleveland, was organist in 
churches, and became a skilled accompanist, to be wdiich is 
one of the rarest of accomplishments. 

When twenty-two she married Dr. \\\ .\. Knowlton, her 
father's family physician. He had enlisted in the army at the 
outbreak of the Civil War, and had risen to the rank of cap- 
tain when wounds and a protacted confinement in an infected 
military hospital (from which he was rescued by his broth- 
ers, one of whom. Dr. Augustus Knowlton, later married 
Augusta Snow, daughter of Henrv) necessitated his return 
home. He then attended medical school in Cleveland, gradu- 



ZUJ. 



iited with lionor, having- in his Freshman year won a medal 
over the Senior Class, and was at the time of his marriage ta 
Miss Snow, settled in Brecksvrlle with a large practice, which 
embraced not only his own Ijut surrounding towns. Here he 
lived the arduous life of the countr}^ doctor, driving or riding 
horseback for miles in the worst extremes of weather, gain- 
ing tlie esteem of the country people by his unselfish devotion 
to duty at the risk of his own health and often without recom- 
pense. 

He was always interested in |X)litics, and is a vigorous 
public speaker. Indeed all through his life he has been called 
upon for speeches, |)olitical and otherwise, and has enjoyed 
an unusual reputation along this line. As an after-dinner 
speaker he has been in great demand, especially at banquets 
of various medical societies, where his keen wit has won great 
applause. 

Mrs. Knowlton did not give up her music after her mar- 
riage, as so many woman do, but continued it, becoming a 
more thorough musician than before. She devoted more time 
to composing, studying with Wilson G. Smith and Johann 
Beck, well-known musicians, wlio had great faith in her abil- 
ity from the outset, and now i>ronounce her to be among the 
first of national composers. 

Her compositions include vocal, instrumental and or- 
chestral music. Her most pretentious work so far is a song 
cycle for a chorus of women's voices, "Hawthorn and La- 
vender." This has been given with success in various cities, 
twice in Cleveland by the Rubenstein Club, for which it was 
originally written. Mrs. Knowlton is assistant director of 
this club, and is as proficient as a conductor as in any other 
branch of music. It is remarkable how much this frail little 
woman has accomplished, for she has never had the best of 
health, and has in no wise neglected her family or many out- 
side duties. 

Dr. and Mrs. Knowlton lived for some years in Brecks- 
ville and then moved tO' Cleveland, where they have since re- 
mained, the Doctor's reputation as a physician steadily in- 



creasing. 



He was for a time a member of the faculty of the med- 
ical department of Wooster University, has been president of 
the Cuyahoga County Medical Society, and for fourteen years 




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293 

has served on the Board of U. S. Pension Examiners in 
Cleveland. 

Dr. and Mrs. Knowlton liavc two children: Marg^aret. 
who after a couple of years at colleg-e and considerable study of 
j)ian(). married Owen N. Wilcox, attorney-at-law, son of Jes- 
sie Snow Wilcox; and Donald Snow Knowlton. now in Hig^h 
Sclu)ol, with a decided taste for music and natural h.istory. 
He is studyino- violin wdth Johann Beck, and bids fair to fol- 
low in the musical footsteps of his mother. 

Following are a few clippings from Cleveland newspapers 
<-oncerning Airs. Knowlton's work. Tlie first is from an ac- 
count of a Rubenstein concert, written by Cleveland's critic, 
Wilson G, Smith: 

''The main achievement of the club was the presentation, 
for the hrst time in public, of Mrs. Knowlton's song cycle — 
^'Hawthorn and Lavender" — tlie text being poems from the 
pen of \Vm. E. Henley, the distinguished English poet. That 
this work places Mrs. Knowlton 

IN The first rank 
of the women composers of this country I have no hesitation 
in affirming. In fact, it places her in the artistic society of 
our best male composers, and will do much to establish her 
fame as a highly gifted woman. The entire work is scholarly 
and distincth^ melodious, and withal most agreeable and ef- 
fective in its thematic content. The varied moods of the sev- 
eral poems are splendidly caught and musically expressed. 

"Mrs. Knowlton is now a worthy member of the guild, 
and 1 have no doubt her fame will soon be established na- 
tionally as it is locally." 

Another clipping, from the Cleveland Leader, mentions 
more of her writings: 

"If the Western Reserve has long- l)een proud of the fa- 
mous men and women of the past, it should not fail to recog- 
nize and appreciate rare talent when it presents itself. Among 
the composers whose names have carried fame East and West, 
must now be placed the name of Mrs. Fanny Snow Knowlton. 
As a native of the Western Reserve, and as one whose musi- 
cal instruction has been received from its teachers, she has 
placed herself high among the American composers." 

In speaking of "Hawthorn and Lavender," this article 
goes on to say : 



294 

"It needs no other praise than to say that the letter of 
commendation from so eminent a critic and composer as Dud- 
ley P. Buck evir.ccs the worth of the composition. Ten 
poems of William E. Henley are combined in one harmonious 
whole. To the student of nature they will appeal particularly. 
The music is marked by a true melodic flow, and there is a 
depth of inspiration rarely found. The incidental solos prove 
a charming;- and restful feature, while the beautiful waltz 
movement at the end leaves the listener charmed. 

"One of the treasured possessions of Mrs. Knowlton is 
an autograph letter from Air. Henley, in which he wishes her 
every success. Some of Mrs. Knowlton's compositions have 
met with unusual favor. In her song's she seems to have 
caught the true poetical meaning of the choice bits of poetry 
selected, and she has given musical settings both beautiful and 
expressive. 

"James Whitcomb Riley's poem, 'There, Little Girl, 
Don't Cry,' transformed into a song, immediately claimed 
the attention of artists. 'Kitty, my Colleen,' is a dainty song 
in Irish dialect. Children's songs have been Mrs. Knowlton's 
specialty, and she has filled engagements in Akron, Chicago, 
Chautauqua, and New York, rendering them to enthusiastic 
audiences. Her song book, 'Nature Songs for Children,' has 
been in use in many kindergartens, and there is nothing bet- 
ter of the kind published. Among the ballads Mrs. Knowl- 
ton has published, are: 'If Summer Skies Were Always Blue,' 
'The Grapevine Swing,' 'Love Among the Clover,' and the 
'Song of the Hunter.' Besides these songs she has written 
many exquisite little rondos, preludes, and songs without 
words." 

From the Cleveland News, accompanying a portrait : 

"... You are not surprised when you learn that 
she is a prominent woman in the Congress of Mothers, as 
well as a composer whose musical works are known from New 
York to California. A glimpse of the thoughtful face with 
all its sv.'eetness of expression, frank eyes and sensitive mouth, 
tells you of a deeper life behind closed doors, and you are, 
therefore, not surprised that this composer of sweet strains 
should dedicate her first book of them, 'To my little boy, 
Donald, my critic, counselor, and most appreciative listener.' 

"Neither are you surprised when you learn that this 




To face page 2Q4. 

DR. M IN ABEL SNOW 
(See page 297.) 



295 

mother. Mrs. Fanny Snow Knnwlton, was led to compose her 
bock of 'Nature Song-s" by her desire to make happy this 
small worshi]>per with tales of wood and hird and bee, set to 
beautiful rhythmic sound. And the value of the small ci-itic's 
judg-ment has been veritied thousands of times by the school 
children of this land, who sing^ the 'Nature Songs' with spirit. 
Grave college professors, too, must have found an echo of 
boyhood's emotion in them, for only last week Columbia Uni- 
versity honored this composer with a request for permission to 
use her 'Patriotic Hymn' in a new book for the Horace Mann 
School. 

''But motherhotyd of the true type, and music are both 
lineal gifts to this author, her mother. Frances Fay, the wife 
of Owen Snow, having been a real mother and musician, who 
still draws a charmed bow across answering strings." 

CHILDREN. 

4a. Margaret Knovvlton. b. Aug. 8. 1882. Brecksville. O. 

m. Owen N. Wilcox at Cleveland. Oct. 14. 1905. 
4b. Douglas Know-lton. b. Oct. 24. 1883. Brecksville; d. 

Sept. 24. 1884. 
4c. Donald Snow Knowlton, b. Nov. 22. 1892. Cleveland. 



III. 5. KARL FRANK SNOW. 
(Son Ow^en. Russ. Benjamin.) 
Karl Frank Snow was born in the "parlor bed-room" of 
the Brick House at Brecksville. O., Dec. 14. 1862. He mar- 
ried Katie Etta Brooks at Brecksville. Dec. 25. 1884. She 
was born at Brecksville. Dec. 29. 1867. the daughter of John 
H. Brooks. Mr. Snow is a successful manufacturer of mill 
and conveying machinery. 

"In physical appearance Karl is a typical v^now, his 
bright eyes and black beard causing him to resemble many 
another of his name. He is a striking example of a self-made 
man, starting as a country boy with none too much money in 
his pocket, making his way for himself, each new trial tak- 
ing him a step upwards, till now with his brother-in-law, ]\Ir. 
Bartlett. he runs one of the big machinery manufactories of 
Cleveland. 

"From a child he was of a mechanical turn of mind. The 
first plaything he demanded was "hammer'n nails." This love 



296 

of making things, of inventing, never left him, and caused 
him to struggle on in his Hue of work till he reached the point 
called success. He is an indefatigable worker, his mind al- 
ways busy. 

"He is, however, interested in other things besides his 
work. The cause of temperance claimed his attention and his 
aid, and he worked with Mr. Bartlett in establishing and 
maintaining lodges for the good of his fellowmen. He has 
always been interested in photography, and has taken many 
fine pictures in this country and abroad, where his business has 
called him. 

By no means least among his photographs are family 
groups, made at the various reunions which have so often 
taken place among the Snow tribe. Many of them would be 
forgotten but for these lasting impressions made of them, which 
are treasured by the different members of the family among 
their dearest possessions. Many thanks are due Mr. Snow 
for making this possible. Though wrapped up in his busi- 
ness, he has always managed to get away for a family party, 
and no trouble has seemed too great to put a memory of the 
day into lasting form. 

His love of kin does not stop in his own town, but 
reaches from one end of the country to the other. He and 
his wife have visited many Snows in different states of the 
Union, and have had relatives too numerous to mention at 
their house. Mr. Snow has taken much inter&st in this gene- 
alogy, and is altogether proud of his family. 

"In his hospitality and interest in outside things he is 
closely seconded by his wife, who was Katie Brooks of 
Brecksville, a very attractive and capable girl, who has lost 
none of her efficiency since her marriage. She is a most 
])leasing and clever housemistress, with decided skill in all the 
practical matters which make for man's comfort as well as 
his entertainment. 

"Mr. and Mrs. Snow live in a pleasant home on a quiet 
street in Cleveland, where they entertain a great deal, in 
which they are assisted by their twO' daughters. Orpha, who 
has finished high-school, is also a typical Snow in feature, 
having, however, the unusual and charming combination of 
light hair and dark brown eyes. Mildred, a very lively, 
young person, is still in grammar school." 

M. K. W. 




NKD I'AVSOX SNOW. 
(See page 208.) 




face page 296. 

KDITH SNOW. 
DAUGHTER OF NKD P. SNOW. 



4 



297 

CHILDREN. 

5:1. Orpiia Pl'Ui,, 1). Sept. 30, icS86, on i*car St.. Cleveland. 
5b. MiLURKD F'av, b. May 18. 189O. 



III. 6. MINABEL SNOW, 

(Dan. Owen. Kns.s. Benjamin.) 

-viinabel Snow was born in the ''parlor bed-room" of the 
Brick House at Brecksville, O.. Aug. 30. 1864. The I'acts 
of her life are related below by her niece. Margaret K. Wil- 
cox. Mention should be made at this ]>oint. however, of the 
fact liiat Minabel vSnow is one 01 tlie two who first planned 
and worked for tlie publication of this book, and much of the 
credit for its issue is due to her la1)ors and advice. 

"One of the Snow women who has accomplished much, 
and along an unusual line for a woman, is the youngest 
daughter of Owen and Frances Snow, called Minabel. 

"When she was a little girl women physicians were not 
so numerous as now. and though to become one was her child- 
ish dream it seemed doubtful of fulfilment. She therefore 
tO(-k up the study which she considered next best to medicine 
-—physical culture. 

"After going to Oberlin College, she graduated from 
Sargent's Normal Training School of Physical Culture, in 
Cambridge, Mass., and then taught the science in various 
cities, the last of which was New York. Here she attended 
the Woman's Medical College of the N. Y. Infirmary for 
Women and Children, from whicli she graduated, and then 
spent a year in the hospital. 

"Dr. Snow began the practice of medicine in Cleveland, 
where she has two offices, one in the business section of the 
city, and the other at her residence, where her mother lives 
with her. She is very successful as a physician, her work be- 
ing complimented by the foremost of her profession. 

"As a woman she is no less esteemed, having many 
friends, whn l()\e and admire her for her strength of char- 
acter, her calm mental poise, her jolly comradeship, her all 
round capability, and in spite of her masculine grasp of af- 
fairs, her womanly dignity. She is actively interested in 
church and charitv work, in which she is looked to for much 



298 

help, and altogether leads a busy Hfe, though never in a 
hurry. She is one of the few who can accomphsh a great 
deal quietly." M. K. W. 



111. 7. NED PAYSON SNOW. 
(Son Owen, Russ, Benjamin.) 

Ned Payson Snow was born in the "parlor" of the Brick 
House at Brecksville, O., May 11, 1866. He married Mary 
Hamilton in Cleveland, Nov. 16, 1890. She was born in 
Franklin County, Ohio, Nov. 14, 1874. Mr. Snow resides in 
Montana where he is a ranchman. 

"The second boy in the family is the tallest of the three, 
being over six feet, and like his brother Frank, athletic. He 
also has a talent for music, expressing it through the violin. 
Many an evening on the farm the strains of his instrument 
would come floating down from his room, seeming to refresh 
him after the arduous labors of the day. Like his mother he 
played entirely by ear. 

"The latter part of his life has been spent in the west, 
where the outdoor life suits him. In a recent letter to his 
mother he says he is herding twenty-four hundred sheep on 
one of the mountains in Montana, with only a dog for com- 
pany. He cooks for two, and shares with his canine com- 
panion. 

"He is fitted for the rough, western life, with its ex- 
tremes of heat and cold, its simple ways of living, and its op- 
portunity for roaming with gun and dog in the vast expanse 
of out-of-doors. He shoots deer, coyotes, eagles, any game 
that the mountains afford ; and writes most entertaining ac- 
counts to his mother, for he inherits his father's dry humor, 
and can tell a story well. 

"He married young, and has a family of five pretty chil- 
dren. Plis oldest daughter, Edith, shares his enthusiasm for 
western life, and is a delightful addition to it with her bright 
and merry ways, which endear her to all and make her a 
winsome girl of whom her father is justly proud." 

M. K. W. 

CHILDREN. 

7a. Cor WIN Snow, b. Sept. 28, 1891. 

7b. Edith Snow, b. June, 1893. < 




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7c. WiNNiK Snow. 
7d. Infant. 
ye. Infant. 

in. 8. FRANK KNOWLTON SNOW. 
(Son Owen, Russ, Benjamin.) 

Frank Knowlton Snow was born in the "parlor bed- 
room" of the Brick House at Brecksville, O., June 24, i88a 
He married Laura Bell, at Brecksville, April 6, 1904. She 
was born in Brecksville, May 22, 1882, tlie daughter of Beech- 
or Bell. 

"The youngest child of Owen and Frances Snow is 
Frank Knowlton Snow, who, like his brothers, grew up in the 
wholesome, health-producing atmosphere of the farm. Being 
so young that he was the age of his sister's children, he was 
the "baby" after his brothers and sisters were grown, and 
when he left home for school in Cleveland his boyish, teasing, 
frolicsome ways were much missed on the farm. He was al- 
ways happiest there, and soon returned, where he became a 
splendid worker, like his brother Ned. Later he entered the 
employ of his brother's firm, the C. O. Bartlett and Snow 
Co., where he has since remained. 

His wife was Laura Bell, one of Brecksville's pretty 
daughters, who- left her native town to make a new and at- 
tractive home with her husband in Cleveland. They have a 
cozy house and a sweet little girl. Lucille, whose curling hair 
and eyelashes much resemble her father's when he was a little 
boy. 

"Like the rest of the family, Frank was musical from a 
child, had a good voice, a pleasing whistle, and a way of 
playing the mouth organ which, like his mother's violin play- 
ing, set everybody dancing. He has contributed much to the 
many musical evenings spent at the Brick House with his 
playing and singing, his songs for the most part funny, and 
decidedly enjoyable. Like his brother Ned he is exceedingly 
fond of outdoor sports, especially hunting. There is hardly 
a spot in the Snow neighborhood that has not been scoured by 
the bovs with their guns and dogs, in search of game." 

k. K. W. 

CHILDREN. 

8a. Lucille Jeannette Snow, b. Aug. 22, 1905. 



300 

IV, 

HENRY HOLLAND SNOW. 

1827-1894. 
(Fourth child of Russ Snow.) 
Henry Holland Snow, second son and fourth child of 
tvuss Snow, was born March 31, 1827, at Atkinson, Piscata- 
(|uis County, Maine. He was eight years old when his fa- 
ther moved to Ohio. The remainder of his life was spent on 
the home farm at Brecksville. His education was gained in 
the district schools, supplemented by a short period of study 
in Brooklyn village in the school conducted by Prof. 
Churchill, for many years a teacher in Oberlin College. I~Ie 
spent some time as a teacher in Richfield and Brecksville town- 
ships, and thereafter his whole life was spent as a farmier in 
Brecksville. He was married Oct. 22, 185 1, to Mary Jane 
Lockhart, a daughter of James Lockhart, of Richfield. Six 
children were born to them, four of whom are still living. Mr. 
Snow died at Cleveland, Sept. 16, 1894, after an illness of 
about a year. 

Henry Holland Carter, second grandson of Henry Hol- 
land Snow, and named after him, has written the story of his 
grandparent's life with understanding and appreciation, and 
told it in words of simple beauty and dignity that accord most 
sympathetically with the facts of tlie gentle, wholesome life 
Vv-hich he depicts : 

"In seeking to record the story of his life we shall not 
find it written large in a public way but must look for it in 
the quietness of the home life on the farm. The home was 
supreme in his consciousness. Here he not only found his 
chief pleasure but the motive and guiding principle of his 
?.ctivity. A deeply affectionate man, he was never ostenta- 
tious or demonstrative. Pie maintained a quiet authority in 
his household which lost none of its power through its quiet- 
ness. Tlie idea of questioning this authority or of disobe- 
dience never occurred to his children. Yet he ruled by gen- 
tleness. Harshness found no kinship in his bosom. Those 
who spent their lives near him for many years say a harsh 
word was never known to escape his lips. The sacredness of 
home relationships could be learned by mere association with 
this man. In the home there must be no discord. To him it 




To face page 300. 



11 i:.\KN' 1101.1. \.\1) SNOW . 



30^ 

seemed ordained in an inexorable law that men and women 
g'athered together in families should h\c in harnmny one 
with another. Thus by a natural process, this inner peace 
^vhich was his so suffused those about him that his lumic 
Ihroughout his life was the sort of a ])lace his heart 1(^1(1 him 
it should be. 

"He was a deeply conscientious man. Always a hard 
■vvurkcr, he demanded of himself the utmost care in carrying 
■out the details of his business. He was never entirely able, 
especially as he grew older, to dismiss his w^ork from his mind. 
While the rest of the family went to the village to "Singing 
School" or "Lodge," he always .stayed behind to finish "the 
chores." to- watch the fire and see that all was well at home. 
His complete reliability and sound business qualities made 
him a fitting candidate for positions of trust in the town. He 
Avas for many years one of the trustees of Brecksville towm- 
ship and was frequently called upon to serve on the School 
Board. \Miile these public obligations were fulfilled with the 
same fidelity which was characteristic of his private life, he 
never sought them and his reserve, amounting at times almost 
to reticence prevented him from ever becoming a successful 
public speaker. 

"He was a man of strong will and firm conviction. His 
actions were determined finally by the dictates of his judg- 
ment and conscience. After voting the Republican ticket all 
his life v.hen Horace Greeley came to the front as a pros- 
pective candidate for the presidential chair, Mr. Snow broke 
from his party to vote for the man he admired. 

With all his absorption in the home life he was always 
deeply interested in affairs of the nation, and was well in- 
formed on current questions. Individual men in i)ublic life 
frequently commanded his attention and interest. He greatly 
admired John C. Fremont in the days of his prominence and 
named one of his daughters for him. He read the "New York 
Tribune" regularly for many years. All the books which the 
rather limited home library possessed were read many times. 
He was especially fond of Robert Burns and Thomas Hood, 
and read them a great deal in his later years. 

"The very idea of this sketch in a way involves a para- 
dox. The quiet record of a gentle life must find its true place 
in the hearts of those who were dear to him in life. The hills 



and trees and pastures of the old home farm still' whisper ihe 
secret of his ways. A warm and very tender memory keepS" 
his name alive today. And we Snows of the young-er genera- 
tion still love to look at his picture and hear our fathers and 
mothers tell stories of Grandpa Snow and Uncle Holland." 

Henry Hoi^land Carter- 



IvlARY JANE (LOCKHART) SNOW. 

(Wife of H. Holland Snow.) 

Mary Jane Lockhart was born in Richfield Townshipv 
Summit County. Ohio, June 2, 1835, the year that her fu-- 
ture husband came to Ohio with' his parents. She was the 
daughter of James Lockhart ( 1802- 189 1) and Minerva Moon 
(1805-1879). Her life has been quiet, faithful, earnest, un- 
obtrusive and brave. It has always been characterized by 
exceeding industry and she has performed her various tasks 
with a simple, cheerful and uncomplaining patience, delight- 
ing in the plain every-day duties of the home. 

Her granddaughter. Bertha M. Carter, has said of her ;. 
"When but a girf of sixteen Mary Lockhart became a member 
of the Snow family in her marriage to Holland Snow. Com- 
ing, as she does, from a line of wiry, long-lived, men and 
women, she brought with her those natural instincts which 
but add strength to the stalwart and sturdy Snows. In the 
lives of her children, yes, even in her grandchildren, are plain- 
ly revealed those traits by which sihe will ever be remembered, 
— namely, unflinching courage in the face of opposing circum- 
stances ; faithful accomplishment of whatever task or pur- 
pose might be in view, steadfast determination tO' see her du- 
ties ended — and not only done but done well ; and ever expe- 
riencing delight and pleasure in the finishing of the hardest 
task rather than giving expression to sighs of relief. A 
cheerful and sunny soul withal — these are the attributes which 
characterize the woman who with her helpmeet gave to the 
world one of the happiest families of the Snows." 

B. M. C. 










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303 

CHILDREN. 
(Of II. Hollaiul and .Mary J. (Lockhart) Snow.) 

IV. I. IDA MAY. b. Alio-. 15. 1854. at tlie lirick House 

("East Ri)om"), lirecksvillc. O. 
IV. 2. JESSIE FREMONT, b. June 5. 1857. at the Brick 

House ("East Room"), Brecksville; m. Frank 

Nelson Wilcox, Dec. 25. 1878. 
TV. 3. AMANDA JANE. b. June 29, 1859. ^^ the Brick 

House ("East Room"), Brecksville; m. Elwin 

Leyton Carter, Oct. 15, 1879. 
TV. 4. HARRY WARD, b. Sept. 25, 1862. at the Brick 

House ("East T^oom"), Brecksville: ni. Alice P. 

Noble, Sept. 28, 1887. 
IV. 5. CliARLES CORWIN. b. .\ug-. 29. 1864. at the 

Brick i-Iouse ("East Room") ; d. at 59 Olive St., 

Cleveland, Feb. 11, 1895. 
TV. 6. TNFANT, b. Mar. 3. 1870.' at the "Other House," 

Brecksville; died. 



IV. r. IDA MAY SNOW. 
( Dau. H. Holland, Russ, Benjamin.) 

Ida May Snow was born in the "East Room" of the 
Brick House at Brecksville, O.. Aug. 15. 1854. She re- 
ceived her education in the schools of Brecksville, and taught 
the "Snow district" school for many years, before coming 
to Cleveland, where slie now lives with her sister Jessie Snow 
\\^ilcox. She is tlie head of the book-keeping department of 
The C. O. Bartlett and Snow Co., and is interested in the 
business as a stockholder. She is possessed of excellent busi- 
ness ability and has strong sense and line judgment. 

Her life has been one of ever constant devotion to oth- 
ers. She had almost as much to do with the upbringing of 
her oldest sister's chikh^en as their own mother, and every 
birthday. Christmas and holiday has been made ha])pier by 
]ier gifts to them and to all of her other nephews and nieces. 
This same lavish giving', not only of worldly things, but also 
of herself, is that one of her attributes most striking, and its 
impulse is felt far beyond the confines of her own immediate 
home and familv. 



304 

Nearly all of the branches (jf Benjamin Snow's family 
have known or met her, or been in correspondence with her; 
and to her alone is due the conception of this history of his 
family, and the means for the initiatory work. No son or 
daughter of the family is prouder of its name than she, and 
no other one has done so much to perpetuate our knowledge 
of it. Her doing for the family amounts almost to benefaction ; 
and one of her most gracious acts w^as the erection, at her 
own expense, of an enduring fence around the little cemetery 
where Benjamin's children, Henry and Russ and Louise, are 
buried, and the inauguration of a society to keep this spot 
hallowed and green. 

Her niece, Bertha Carter, is near and dear to her, and 
no one understands better the beauty of her generous and 
gentle character. In writing of May Snow, she says : 

"Aunt May finds a way into every heart that comes near. 
We remember Aunt May from our earliest childhood days, 
and why? Because she seemed to live to give us all a good 
time — there never were too many for that big heart. And 
as we older grow and our trials seem great, and our duties 
not plain, the same big heart takes us in, and some how all 
so quietly, straightens out the difficulties. In her doing for you, 
you cannot say, 'Oh, don't bother about me,' for in taking 
away what might seem an added burden, you seem to bring 
pain instead. Sacrifice? 'If this is sacrifice, why can't my 
life be filled with it, too,' you say, but it is not for such as 
you — only for Aunt May, who makes the world all sunshine 
for those about her by her constant, daily and unobtrusive 
watchfulness. 

"Ever with a genius for accomplishing much, and a head 
and a heart ready to cope with any task, the oldest of a large 
family, she early took upon her shoulders many tasks which 
to most would seem insurmountable. Her life has been spent 
with those for whom she could do the best possible good. Not 
without personal griefs and joys, yet your pain is hers, your 
pleasure hers, and you seem but an atom in the presence of her 
great experience." 




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305 

IV. 2. JKSSl!" rRl{.M()NT (SNOW) WILCOX. 

(Dan. a. Holland, Russ. Benjaniiti. ) 

Jessie Fremont Snow was born in the "Kast Room" of 
the Brick TFouse at Rrecksville, O.. June 5, 1857. She was 
married ti> Frank Nelson Wilcox, Dec. 25, 1878. He was 
born at Brecksville. June 17, 1855. the son of Stephen Miller 
Wilcox and Margaret Coates. Mr. Wilcox was a successful 
Cleveland lawyer, was ix)ssessed of unusual literary ability 
and made every one his friend. He died at 59 Olive Street, 
Cleveland, ()., Sept. 20, 1904, at the age of 49 years. 

"A difficult person of whom to give an adequate impres- 
sion in i)rint is Jessie Snow Wilcox, for, being a typical 
Snow, she has the family trait of modesty, and in a great 
degree, so that one hesitates to name her virtues for fear of 
causing her displeasure. Not that her displeasure would be 
apparent; slie has her dislikes under perfect control, and 
would not hurt any one's feelings for the world. Always of 
an equable temi)erament. her years of experience in dealing 
with people in various phases of life have taught her the won- 
derful value of calmness and poise. The Snows all have this 
in a more or less degree, but it is so marked in this daughter 
of Henry Holland Snow, whom she strongly resembles, as to 
give her the right to be called a typical Snow. 

"In regard to appearance this is also true, being the only 
one of her father's family to have his brown eyes. They made 
her distinct from her brothers and sisters as a girl, and were 
enhanced by tlie wavy brown hair and blooming complexion 
which completed her girlish beauty. Her attractiveness went 
hand in hand with health, for she was an athletic cliild, fond 
of being nut in the open, and could run faster tlian any of 
the boys. 

"Her liking for sports did not, however, overrule her 
love for books. As a girl she spent many happy hours perched 
in the trees of the apple orchard, ab.sorbed in reading. She 
was also f(jnd of music, and added a pretty alto to the so- 
prano and contralto of Amanda and Fanny. She loved d(>^ 
mesticity, and was naturally adapted to housework. In short, 
she was a healthy, happy girl, not developed particularly in 
any one line, but well rounded and balanced, the sort of a 
woman to make a beautiful wife and mother. 



3o6 

"She brought as a dowry to her husband a sweetness of 
character which is not surprising in the daug^hter of such a 
father and mother as she possessed. Her instinctive desire to 
help others continued in her married Hfe, and made her phe- 
nomenal in her devotion to husband and children. 

"The man she married was worthy of such devotion. 
Frank Nelson Wilcox, a country boy, became through his 
own efforts and natural ability, one of Cleveland's ablest law- 
yers. His talent for literature equalled that for his profession, 
and almost amounted to genius. In many ways he was an un- 
usually talented and remarkable man, but the most wonderful 
thing about him, especially to his family, was his exceptional 
character. He had no enemies, and many more friends than 
are allotted to most men. He was almost flawless, and withal 
so genial that one was never distanced by his purity. He was 
the embodiment of generosity and charity, but held ever 
aloft the strictest ideals of honor. 

"The most individual attribute of this man was his mag- 
netism. Other men have been good, even noble, as he was, 
but without inspiring the human affection which never failed 
to spring up in the hearts of those who knew him. There was 
that about his personality which attracted people of all sorts 
and ages. Children loved to be near him; boys sought his 
comradeship, especially in the country, for he knew the lore 
of bees, and mushrooms, and wild animals; young men took 
their troubles to him ; old men courted his society and paid 
him homage. His family passionately loved and idolized him. 

"Jessie Snow Wilcox's oldest son, Owen, after winning a 
Phi Beta Kappa key at college and graduating from law 
school, opened a law office in Cleveland. He is also president 
of The Gates Legal Publishing Company, and though his 
time is fully occupied, he still finds opportunity for indulging 
a literary taste. He has published a book of his fathers writ- 
ings, and finds great enjoyment in genealogical research, 
which is evidenced in the publication of this volume. He 
married Margaret Knowlton, daughter of Fanny Snow 
Knowlton, October 14, 1905. 

"The second son, Frank Nelson Wilcox, Jr., is a stu- 
dent in the Cleveland School of Art, where his work has won 
commendation. He has an appreciative understanding of the 
grotesque and a decided bent for art journalism. He is fond 




To face page 306. 

OWEN N. AND MARGARKT (KNOWLTON) WILCOX. 



307 

of music, has a j^ood \'oice, and is of an in.c(cnions tm^n of 
mind. 

"'JMie daui^hter, Ruth, has distinj^uishcd herself at schcx)!. 
She {^racUiated as the valedictorian of her class, with the hig-h- 
est standing ever obtained in the Cleveland Central High 
School, and is now a student in Oberlin Colleg^e, Ohio." 

M. K. W. 



ii; 



3o8 

FRANK N. WILCOX. 

1855-1904. 

(Husband of Jessie Fremont Snow.) 

Although this book is primarily a history of the Sn<>w 
family, the lives of many different gentlemen who have mar- 
ried into it, have been so closely interwoven with the growth 
and welfare of the family, that it is hoped those who are all 
Snow will pardon some mention of those who have added 
good blood to an already excellent strain. The writer desires 
to do this in the case of his father, Frank Wilcox, and the same 
explanation applies to all the other men not of Snow blood, 
whose lives are outlined here with those of their wives. 

The resolutions adopted by the Bar Association of Cuy- 
ahoga County, Ohio, at the time of his father's death, illumine 
the cliaracter of the man so completely and are such a beau- 
tiful tribute withal, that the writer desires to insert them in 
full, rather than giAC his own w^ords. 

Resolutions Adopted by the Meeting. 

Frank N. Wilcox, bom in Brecksville, this county. 
June 17th. 1855, admitted in 1878 to this Bar, died at his 
liome in this city on September 20th, 1904. 

He was endowed with strong common sense and with 
an intellectuality that amounted to genius. He had a brilliant 
and poignant wit, a delightful humor. His high intelligence, 
his courtliness and kindliness, and his affable and genial bear- 
ing marked him as a true gentleman. 

In all his professional relations he was most diligent and 
faithful, courteous alike to associates and adversaries, and al- 
>vays helpful to tb.e Court. He despised hypocrisy with all 
the earnestness of his innate honesty. His perfect intellectual 
integrity always invited the confidence of the Court. 

He has passed away in the prime and vigor of mature 
manhood and in the midst of a successful and most promising 
career, tie was of the kind of men who make and leave an 
impression in the world. His name and memory will stand 
in this community, and especially with the members of our 
Bar. as a worthy and encouraging example for young men 
to raise themselves to positions of honorable usefulness, by 
hard work, by diligent application, by faithfulness in even" 



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I'KANK X. Wll.roX. 



i 



309 

relation, and by a kindly and considerate regard for th(ise 
u iili whom they come in contact. 

'rinvUEi'ORj:, inc IT REi^ouvED. 'i'hal we deeply <leplore 
his untimely death, wliicli ue])rives our l.^ar 01' one 01 its able-i. 
mc/st reliable antl lovable members, and the c(jninumity of (juc 
of its best citizens; and that \vc extend to his family our sin- 
cerest symjiathy, and 

Be it Further Resolved, That a copy hereof be pre- 
sented to the Court of Record of this County rind to the Fed- 
<t"ral Courts of this district, with a re(|uest that the same be 
spread upon their journals; and that a copy be also presente<l 
to his familw 

Respectfully submitted. 

A. T. Hills, 
George L. Phillips, 
W. S. Kerruish, 
John G. White, 
E. S. Cook, 

Committee. 
***** 

After the death of Frank N. Wilcox a number of his 
friends published a beautiful little volume of the tributes to 
bis memory, and one of them in writing a short sketch of his 
h'fe for a book of his writings, said : 

"He was the youngest oi six sons, having been born at 
Brecksville. O., June 17, 1855. His father was Stephen Miller 
Wilcox, a grandson of the Revolutionary patriot. Josiah ; he 
was a cattle driver, of strong and sterling character and of a 
taciturn disposition. The mother was Margaret Coates 
Wilcox, a high minded woman and of fine imagination. The 
rural life led by the Wilcox family was not unlike that of 
other estimable pioneers of this Brecksville settlement, in 
which the New England blood predominated. In this com- 
munity Frank X. Wilcox received his early training and edu- 
cation. The training was severely practical with such disci- 
pline as five elder brothers could prescribe; his education was 
in District No. i with all the benefits which could be given by 
the early rural school and its devotion to the "Three Rs." But 
during this period of his life he was. unconsciously, receiving 
another and greater training and education. He often told 
me that in these days he learned, perforce, to control what 



3IO 

might have been an ungovernable temper. A certain philos- 
ophy of life was formed then which served him well the bal- 
ance of his days. He sifted the essentials from the non- 
essentials and stood like a rock for the right and for the more 
trivial annoyances he smiled and said, 'all is well.' And so 
with his early education, he took what District No. i had to 
give, but his curriculum w^as enlarged by what the Great Uni- 
versity of Nature had to offer. He missed not a single lesson 
with the result that, in later years, he never got very far away 
from the birds and the bees, the fields and the flowers. In his 
writings, in his conversations and in the enjoyment of his va- 
cations, the country and Mother Nature received due and 
splendid tribute. He was a keen observer of men and things 
in those boyhood days and learned to love the sturdy life of 
the pioneer fathers. Only such a lover of that life could paint 
the picture which in later years, he depicted upon the canvas 
in his address before the Early Settlers' Association. 

"His education was supplemented, later on. by attend- 
ing a school at Berea, O., taught by his brother, John, where 
he pursued the higher branches. In 1870, when not quite 
sixteen years of age. he commenced teaching school, and two 
years later entered Oberlin college where he took a special 
course, finishing in 1875. He returned to Brecksville for a 
short time but very soon came to Cleveland and entered the 
employment of an abstract company. Very shortly thereafter 
he entered the law office of Prentiss, Baldwin & Ford, and 
later that of S. M. Eddy, with whom he remained until 1878, 
when he was admitted to the bar. His first law partner was 
S. S. Wheeler. This partnership was continued for about a 
year. For two years thereafter he served as secretary in the 
sheriff's of^ce and then resumed the practice of law alone. In 
1883 he formed a partnership with F. M. Chandler which con- 
tinued until 1885. For the following two years he was with- 
out a partner and then associated himself with T. L. Strimple. 
This was continued for about three years when the firm of 
Wilcox & Collister was formed. A few years later the firm 
was changed to Wilcox. Collister, Hogan & Parmely and 
so continued until a short time before his final break in health 
when the firm became Wilcox. Collister. Hadden & Parks. 

"To speak of Frank N. Wilcox as a lawyer, and of the 
judiciol quality of his mind, would l>e only to speak the eulo- 



3" 

giums delivered by his life-long- professional brethren at the 
Bar Memorial Services. He was honored with the Presidency 
of The Cuyahoga Bar Association and was frequently im- 
portuned to permit his name to be placed before the peo])le for 
a judgeshi]). The latter years of his professional life were 
spent in the employ of large corporations interested in the 
promotion of inter-urban electric rail\\ays and he became a 
recognized authority ui)on what has become an important 
branch of the law. On account of heavy demands upon his 
time he was obliged to decline an invitation from a leading 
law publishing fimi to write a book upon that subject. 

"During- all of h.is busy professional life, he found time to 
indulge himscU in literary pursuits. It is notable that in his 
younger years he displayed that sharp insight and tender sym- 
pathy which so beautifully find expression in his earlier poems. 

"He was a keen and appreciative critic of the drama and 
possessed no mean histrionic ability. Actors who had gained 
wide reputation, found in him a most delightful and helpful 
friend, for while praise w?s justly bestowed, deserved censure 
was no less freely given. The giving, however, was always 
characterized with that rare intelligence and kindly 
sympathy which so marked him. In dramatic analysis he ex- 
celled, and had the Fates placed him among the dramatic 
critics of his day, he would have led. No finer effort of this 
character can be found than his paper, 'A Tragic Historical 
Event Which The Dramatists Have Neglected,' prepared for 
and read before the Rowfant Club. His earliest attempt at dra- 
matic v.-riting was 'The Blind Goddess,' and was the result of 
his sense of fair-play and a protest against capital punishment. 
He afterwards wrote many plays and sketches. One of his 
plays, "The Countersign," had a successful production in San 
Francisco and on the Pacific coast. He never found a com- 
poser for his book of the opera, 'The Wizard of Waldeck.' 
but the lyrics were beautiful, the dialogue bright, the situa- 
tions dramatic. He wrote the w^ords for the children's opera, 
'The World's Congress of Fun,' the music being composed 
by Fannie Snow Knowlton. His one love, in a dramatic sense, 
was his unfinished tragedy of 'Paetus and Arria.' This, he 
often said, was the favorite child of his Dramatic Muse and 
the one to which his best efforts were given. 

"As a reader of poems he possessed a larger measure of 



S12 

talent than is granted most men. He liad a deep, rich and 
sympathetic voice and no social gathering Nvas considered 
quite complete without some rendition from him. 'Banty Tim' 
was a favorite, but many of Riley's and Kipling's were as 
often demanded as encores. In the rendition of 'The Four 
Winds,' by Henry Liiders, his whole soul seemed to enter in- 
to the poet's being and the beauty of the poem could never be 
better appreciated. As a raconteur he was unexcelled and his 
fund of apropos story and anecdote seemed almost inexhaus- 
tible; this talent illuminated his conversation, re-enforced his 
public speeches and shone most brilliantly when presiding at 
the post prandial exercises. 

"Frank N. Wilcox's sense of humor was as fine and 
discriminating as his heart was tender. He was a true humor- 
ist in that he never wounded, no miatter how brilliant his re- 
partee or with what lightning flashes his wit might play. 

"His love of children was a most striking characteristic. 
When children were about him, his thought was for their 
happiness and he entered zealously into their sports and en- 
joyments. During his last days, when confined to his room and 
racked with bodily pain, he eagerly planned, and saw it exe- 
cuted, that the boys spending the summer at Brecksville Vvere 
equipped with base ball uniforms and other paraphernalia of 
the game. His love for children, and appreciation of them, 
found vent in a thousand ways, and in his child songs will be 
found the echo of his heart. 

"The love of the country and its wood-craft clung to 
him. A vacation, 'mongst the hills o' Brecksville, was not 
complete without 'lining up' a bee-tree, for he was a famous 
bee hunter ; a mushrooming expedition with him was long to 
be remembered, as he was thoroughly acquainted with all the 
varieties of fungus life: with rod and gun he was equally fa- 
miliar and the marshes of Lake Erie, alive with duck, as well 
as the cold and limpid waters of Georgian Bay with the gamey 
muscallonge, paid tribute tO' his skill. 

"In politics he was a Republican, but a most independent 
one. He rated candidates for their ability and the honesty of 
their convictions and net their political professions. As a 
toast-master at a Free Trade Club banquet he could be as 
gracious and tolerant of their honest beliefs as he could be se- 



3'3 

vere in denouncinf;- the hypocrisy of pretenders within his 
own party. 

'"His religion was, 'JJe kind.' He found good in all sects. 
3s the good manifested itself, and no Ixjlief. honestly enter- 
tained, met with ridicule or hurtful words from him. He 
was always ready to investigate and learn the truth. As to his 
belief in the future, his own words. sj>oken over tlie bofly of 
his dead friend, will I)est express his vieivs. 

"Frank N. Wilcox's social nature w^as a rare one. in this 
he was truly universal. Whether in the company of the little 
child or the savant, he could always adapt himself and was 
entertaining. He was not a member of any secret society but 
found delight in his membership in the Rowfant Club, with its 
coterie of book-lovers; in his affiliations with the Periwinkle 
Club, where the disciples of Lsaak Walton met in amnial ban- 
quet ; in the unique atmosphere of the Crank Club, where Bo- 
hemianisn". ran riot ; and in \'arious other organizations not 
bound by too many of the conventional rules. He was a 
member of the fraternal insurance orders. Knights of the 
Maccabees. Royal Arcanum, and National Union. 

"But last and greatest of all was Frank N. Wilcox's love 
for his family. Home to him was the sum total of all the other 
experiences and enjoyments of life. When yet a lad of six- 
teen he met and loved her who was afterwards to become the 
complement of his life. On Christmas of 1878 he was mar- 
ried to Jessie Fremont, daughter of H. H. Snow, of Brecks- 
ville, Ohio. Tl-e home life of this family was ideal and the 
writer knows that when the honor of a judgeship might have 
been his. Frank N. Wilcox declined to even consider the pos- 
sibility of it, for he wanted n(jthing which might take more 
time away from his family. All through his life, with its hard- 
ships and its triumphs, his wife was an inspiration and a bless- 
ing to him and whatever of joy and pleasure he measured out 
to her and hers, he received ample compen.sation in the love, 
esteem and respect from them. 

"His final illness was the teiTnination of a gradual break- 
ing in health, extending over a period of several years. For 
nearlv a year previous to his death he was confined to his home 
and suffered greatly at times. During all the weary- journey 
through the Valley of the Siiadow- he maintained his mental 
alertness and cheeriness, well knowing what the end was to 



314 

be. He was closing- his life as he had Hved it; suppressing 
his own pain and misery so that others about him would feel 
their OAvn the less. Quietly on the afternoon of September 
20, 1904, he sank to sleep. On September 22, 1904, a beauti- 
ful day with autumn tints aglow, his remains were carried 
back to Brecksville and laid away in the little cemetery where 
rest the forefathers of the hamlet. Here, in sight of those 
hills and scenes he loved so well, he rests. So long as the 
dioughts and deeds of a man, truly good, shall have power 
to benefit and uplift mankind, so long shall Frank N. WilcO'X 
live and continue a blessing and a benediction." 

The following are two of Mr. Wilcox's poems. The first, 
called "The Wind," shows the beauty and dignity that is pre- 
valent in his more serious verse (he wrote much of a humor- 
ous nature), and the second, entitled. "We Are Hardy Sail- 
ors." evinces the spirit with which he wrote for children. 

THE WIND. 



Where the great waves plunge and thunder 

Madly surge and break asunder 

Gainst the cliffs, their grim front lifting 

To the storm-rack darkly drifting, 

Come I, wildly, fiercely blowing. 

Death and ruin round me sowing; 

And the night in blackness resting 

O'er the billows heaving, cresting, 

Makes a scene with terror laden 

For thy sailor love, oh maiden. 

As I come, the waves' vast masses 

Shriek : "Behold a demon passes." 

All the world with tumult filling 
I'm the mad wind, wild and willing, 
Gently sighing, softly swelling, 
I'm the wind, of peace foretelling. 

Where the dead lie calmly sleeping 
'Neath the willows, drooping, weeping, 
Come I, moaning, sobbing, sighing, 
For the dead and for the dying. 
And the moon beams softly streaming. 
On the marble headstones, gleaming. 
Cast a halo pure and holy 
O'er the couches all so lowly, 
Where for ages without number 
Lie the dead in dreamless slumber: 
Here I come and all the grasses 
Whisper : "Hush an angel passes." 

All the world with tumult filling 
I'm the mad wind, wild and willing; 
Gently sighing, softly swelling 
I'm the wind, of peace foretelling 




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WE ARE HARDY SAILORS. 



Wc ;ire liardy sailors, care and trouble free, 
3n a fairy sliailop just put out to sea. 
To tlie Isles of i^earning outward liound are we; 
Blue the skies and cloudless, fair and free the wind 
Wonderland before us, Baby-land behind ; 
In a fairy shallo]), o'er a fairy sea, 
To the Isles of Learning, outward bound are we. 

We are hardy sailors, "Shiij-a-hoy" io you, 

We have chart and compass and a pilot true. 

Swift our fairy shallop, dauntless is our crew ; 

Blue the skies and cloudless, fair and free the wind; 

Wonderland before us. Baby-land behind. 

In a fairy shallop, o'er a fairy sea, 

To the Isles of Learning, outward bound are we. 

All the Isles of Learning we shall well explore, 

Sail around the very end of their farthest shore, 

Where the bravest sailor never sailed before. 

Blue the skies and cloudless, fair and free the wind. 

Wonderland before us, Baby-land behind. 

In a fairy shallop, o'er a fairy sea. 

To the Isles of Learning, outv.'ard bound are we. 

***** 

CHILDREN. 

j.'i. Owen N. Wilcox, b. Jan. 29, 1880, at 147 Courtlancl 
Street. Cleveland ; m. Marg-aret Knowlton at Cleve- 
land Oct. 14, 1905. 

2b. Frank Nelson Wilcox, b. Oct. 3, 1887. at 61 Linwood 
Street, Cleveland. 

20. Ruth W^ilcox, b. April 28, 1889. at 61 Linwood Street, 
Cleveland. 



IV. 3. AMANDA JANE (SNOW) CARTER. 
(Dan. H. Holland. Rus.s, Benjamin.) 

Amanda Jane Snow was born in the "Ea.st Room" of 
the Brick House at Brecksville. June 29, 1859. She was 
married to EUvin Leyton Carter. October 15, 1879. He was 
born at Royalton, Ohio, Feb. 23, 1853. the son of Henry Au- 
o-nstus Carter. Mr. Carter is a farmer and businessman and 
has always resided in the town of his birth. 

Bertha M. Carter, in writing of her parents, says : ''On 
the 29th of June, 1859, in that month when the air is filled by 
the roses' sweetness, and the sun cheers every crevice which 
its ray can penetrate. Amanda Jane gladdened the household 
of Holland and Mary Snow. — bringing with her the charac- 



3i6 

teristics of the month. She grew and ripened into a frail 
young girl with rosy cheeks, sparkHng blue eyes and brown 
hair. 

"Amanda cared tenderly for a large family of dolls until, 
as tradition relates, she went to the '"center" tO' High School ; 
and even then it was hardly possible for her to give up her 
charges. There never was a stray chicken nor a bleating lamb 
that did not receive her sympathetic care and attention. 

''She early developed a considerable talent for music and 
her father, anxious to do what he could for his children, sent 
her to Obcrlin. There she studied voice and organ and has 
ever since used this talent for the enjoyment of herself and 
others. 'Mand)'' and Fanny are always solicited at any 
Brecksville gathering for 'Shells of Ocean' or 'Would That 
My Love.' 

"In October. 1879, she was married to El win Leyton 
Carter from the adjoining township of Royalton, where they 
have since lived in a simple modest way, both making a place 
for themselves in their little world by taking an active and 
vital part in all public enterprises. Their first thought is for 
the advantages of their children, these being Bertha May, 
Henry Holland. Leyton Elwin and Marion Sophronia. Too. 
much credit can not be given to these two for their interest, 
pride and sacrifice for their family's education and culture. 
Are these not the traits of the Snows from our first known 
ancestor? And in him she chose for her life companion. 
Amanda found an answering note." 

* jfs * * * 

''Of Elwin Leyton Carter we might say first of all, he 
early displayed that good common sense of his by uniting 
himself with the Snow family. Always a farmer — yet he has 
been a man who could do two things well — he can produce 
the largest yields of grain in the neighborhood and still de- 
vote some time in persuading his friends that life insurance is 
a good thing, or he can cause to come out of the earth, as it 
were, one of the most successful independent telephone sys- 
tems that the country affords. When but a lad his precocious, 
mathematical mind served him many a good turn ; also making 
the game of chess for him a life-long pleasure, and many are 
the nights' long vigils spent with Dr. Knowlton over the most 
exciting and equally matched game. 



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" 'Tis not often that this kind of mind lias a literary turn 
r.s well, but if there is *()il lo he |>oured upon the troubled wa- 
ters" or au a])])reeiation to be given, it is t!ic fj'enius of his 
mind which bring^s forth the tactful ruid sympathetic words." 

B. M. C. 

CHIIJJRKN. 

3a. RiiRTHA May Cartkk. b. Jan. \j.. 1882. Royalton. Ohio. 
3b. Henry Holland Cartei^ b. Atig- "''. 1884. Royalton. 
3c. Leyton Hlvv'in Carter, b. Aug. 31. 1892. Royalton. 
3d. Marion Sopiironia Carter, b. May 19, 1897, Royal- 
ton. 

3a. Bertha May Carter is a graduate of Oberlin College 
and is at the present tin-je employed as a teacher in the Cleve- 
land Public Schools. She is a young woman of fine common 
sense and buoyant temper, and is gifted with a generous spirit 
and sturdy independence and pluck. She is always cheery 
and sunny in manner, and these characteristics, taken in con- 
junction with her genuine ability, make her very highly es- 
teemed in her school work. 

3b. Henry Holland Carter is also a graduate of Oberlin 
College, and is at present a post graduate student in English 
at Yale. After obtaining liis Doctor's degree there he will 
take up teaching as his profession. This is an exceedingly 
happy choice, for he has already given evidence of decided lit- 
erary ability, and has an almost equal talent for music. He 
is a splendid example of what the American College seeks to 
produce — a modest, refined and cultured gentleman. 

Lcytoji and Marion Carter are still students in the public 
schools. The former is of a scientific turn of mind and has an 
unusual appreciation and understanding of abstruse subjects 
for a youth of his years ; and the latter inherits her mother's 
musical talent, taking the same keen delight in singing that 
her mother early displayed. 



IV. 4. HARRY WARD SNOW. 

(Son H. Holland. Russ, Benjamin.) 

Harry Ward Snow was born in the "East Room" of the 
Brick House at Brecksville, Sept. 25, 1862, and married Alice 
P. Noble Sept. 28, 1887. She was bom at Brecksville Sept. 
22, 1866. the daughter of John Noble. 



51^ '•■ 

Mr. Snow's niece says of him : 

"First of all Harry Snow is a }nan—^ true man in everr 
sense of the word — honest, upright and interested in every 
good cause in his vicinity — you will find him on the school 
Ijoard. among" the trustees and a leader in all township enter- 
prises. He is not taken up wdth his own small world, but 
keeps in touch with the great national and international phases 
of life. 

"Secoridly, he is a true son of the soil, for an industrious 
nnd splendid farmer is he, taking pleasure in tilling the fields 
v/hich the first Snows of Ohio cleared. His crops are the 
pride of the 'river' and his fine horses the envy of 'hill neigh- 
bors.' Did circumstances permit, however, he v/ould gladly 
follow the trail towards the West, displaying that investigat- 
ing and progressive instinct of his grandfather. 

"Thirdly, he is a true Snow, in stature first of all, and 
foremost in his love for the family — not only his own splen- 
did one — but for every one who bears that chilly yet warm- 
hearted name. Cordial, hospitable, possessing that dry char- 
acteristic humor, he is fond of a good story, and can entertain 
you with many interesting anecdotes and stories of the 'first 
Snows.' as we are wont to say. 

"Fourthly, he is a true father, for he is proud of five fine 
Snows — Charlotte, his oldest. 1>ears the pedagogical charac- 
teristics of the family and keeps bright the memory of those 
who first taught the 'three R's' in the old school house. 

"The next two children, Milton and Jeannette. go to the 
Center to school, the former being one of the brightest pupils 
in the High School, and the latter being about to enter the 
High School department. The two youngest children are 
still in the district school. 

"Harry Snow was married to Alice Noble of Brecksville. 
Sept. 28, 1887, and she has made one of the finest and hap- 
piest of homes for his children. A wonderful woman is she 
in the organization of the hom.e — ^each one doing his little duty 
good-naturedly and gladly. Frugal and thrifty, she works 
with her husband to give the most they can to the family. 
Like him also, she takes an active interest in outside affairs, 
and is a marvel in what she can accomplish." 

B. M. C. 



/■'A 




To face page .319. 

CHARLKS CORWIN SNOW. 



319 

CHILDREN. 

4a. Charlotte Louise, b. June 13, 1888, Brecksville, O. 

4b. John Milton, b. July 28, 1892, Brecksville. 

4c. Jeannette May, b. April 30, 1894, Brecksville. 

4fl. Charles Hibbard, b. May 22, 1896. Brecksville. 

4e. Dorcas Lavina, b. July 27, 1902, Brecksville. 



IV. 5. CHARLES CORWIN SNOW. 

(Son H. Holland, Russ, Benjamin.) 

Charles Corwin Snow was born in the "East Room" of 
the Brick House at Brecksville. O., Aug-. 25, 1865. He died 
at 59 Olive Street, Cleveland, O., the home of his sister, Jes- 
sie Snow Wilcox, on the nth of February, 1895. and was 
buried at Brecksville. His short life of thirty years was one 
of singular usefulness and beauty. He was always an exceed- 
ingly lovable man. He was patient, gentle, industrious, kindly 
and brave, and wholeheartedly devoted to his family. He was 
a lover of music, could play almost any instrument and sang 
with a sweet tenor voice that filled the house with melody. 
His sturdy chivalry, unselfishness and incorruptible integrity 
earned for him a host of friends, and his fellow-workers in 
the City Hall of Cleveland gave him the title of "Old Reli- 
able." 

Upon the occasion of Charlie Snow's funeral, the period 
of his life was summed up in words of exceeding truthfulness 
and beauty by a lifelong friend, now the Probate Judge at 
Cleveland, who said : 

"Words are ver}' empty things this morning in this house. 
We who have come here to attest our respect, our friendship 
and our love for Charlie Snow. and. if possible, to afford some 
small grains of comfort to the members of his family by show- 
ing that we suffer with them, could better and more appro- 
priately attain both objects by remaining dumb and silent in 
their presence, than by allowing our sorrow to run into words. 
Tf the summons had come to any one of us before it did to him, 
he would have paid us liis last respects b)'- his bare presence 
and unbroken silence. And no one who knew him would 
doubt the depth and sincerity of his sorrow and respect, be- 
cause he was silent. It was his nature, he never was. he could 



320 

not be abtriisive. He was one of the few I ever knew who by 
his companionship could entertain more by reason of what he 
was and what you knew him to be. than by anything he said. 
It does not seem to me that he would go into any company 
for the simple purpose of being- seen or being heard ; he never 
seemed to consciously entertain sucii a purpose. 

"The responsibility of carrying on and sustaining a con- 
versation was one seldom assumed by him, and yet it m.ust 
not be inferred that he was not companionable, for he was 
not only an eloquent listener but by a remark now and then 
he clearly revealed a full and thorough comprehension of all 
lliat was being said ; and even displayed a far more thorough 
knowledge of the subject under discussion than those who 
were undertaking to discuss it. 

"Over ten years ago, chancing to be in his company on 
the way home from a public meeting which had been addressed 
by several speakers, I was most forcibly struck by his com- 
ments upon the manner and the matter of the different dis- 
courses he had just heard. Without using the technical terms 
of rhetoric, and possibly not being aware of them, he accu- 
rately classified all the speakers as to the matter and manner 
of their discourse. Naturally, some pleased him better than 
others, but there was not a word of unkind or ill-natured crit- 
icism for those who pleased him least; and it was interesting 
to no'tice that the one whose production he dwelt upon with 
the most comfort and satisfaction, was a speaker who' had 
made no effort at dramatic or oratorical effect, whO' had de- 
veloped his subject naturally and organically, and whose style 
was the most simple imaginable. It was such discourse he 
loved to hear, because it reflected and satisfied his own mental 
and spiritual nature. 

"Were I called upon to bear witness to his most impor- 
tant characteristic, I would say it was an absence of all bitter- 
ness and acidity towards others. 

"Most, if not all, who are here this morning, had more 
and better opportunities than I to observe him, so that my tes- 
timony may not have as great weight as would yours, but I 
can say unqualifiedly that while he had clear vdews and opin- 
ions and estimates of all persons and subjects and important 
matters, I never heard him express an illnatured opinion or 
estimate of a single person, although an occasional remark 



3-1 



would indicate tluil he was keenly conscious of all defects and 
especially of all tl:at was ridiculous in the men and measures 
he knew, lie could ncjt have an enemy and must have died 
without one. because lie never gave offense. 

"You must not infer, liowex'er. fro!n what lias been said 
that his was a neg"ati\e character, 'i'ho^e uho associated most 
with him agree that his mental and moral make-up was firm 
and substantial and that his working hours were filled with 
things done and done so quietly and with so little fuss and os- 
tentation, as to hardly attract attention to the fact that he was 
v.-orking at all. until the product of his lai)or was complete. 

"He vvho is true to the relations of life, he upon whom 
those who are nearest to him feel that they can lean and rely 
in all the troubles of life, must always be regarded as belong- 
ing to the ]>ositive forces of human existence. That he was 
just such a mnn need not be stated in words here this morn- 
ing, for you ah know it to be a fact. 

"Years ago, he played an instrument in the band in the 
township where he lived, and he attained skill which v/as far 
above that which the ordinary country boy. with the instruc- 
tions there enjoyed could usually attain. His practice, of 
course, was at h(^me at his father's house upon the farm. 
Many a morning and many an evening 1 have heard him dis- 
coursing tlie svreetest strains and the purest melodies, not 
before any audience and not for the purpose of display, but 
because he loved it and turned to it as naturally as other boys 
of his age would run to play. He did not know how many 
or who heard the notes of his instrument and he did not seem 
to care. He did not play to be heard, but mar.y v-.-ho did not 
see him and did not know who the player was. did lienr it and 
enjoy it and the hard and galling burdens of life were for the 
time being lifted a little, and their spirits were refreshed and 
encouraged by tlie melody. 

"Later, his life in the crowded city brought h.im into 
daily contact with hundreds of people, and are we claiming 
too much, when \xq say that his (]uiet and effective work as 
seen by those for wdiom it was done may have inspired many a 
lagging spirit wdio was about giving up the contest to again 
take hold and renew the battle? 

"The good man and his life are better than a thousand 
sermons, because they arc exerting a constant and elevating 



322 

influence, and as the notes of his beloved instrument cheered 
persons whom he never saw, so his wholesome and constant 
example was an inspiration to persons who saw him, but who 
never enjoyed a personal acquaintance with him." 




To face page 323. 



ORPH A ITTBHARD SNOW. 



V. 
ORFHA HIBBARD SNOW. 

1829-1862. 
(Kiftli child of I'Juss Snow.) 

Orpha Hibbard Snow, the young^est child and daughter 
of Riiss Snow and Rnth Hibbard, was bom at Atkinson, Me., 
March 3, 1829. She was six years old when her parents 
moved to Ohio. Her life was short, simple and uneventful 
and was lived in the homes of her parents, and her sister 
Charlotte, with whom she spent a g"reat deal of time in her 
last years. 

Orpha Snow was of a gentle, retiring- disix>sition, dev^oted 
to her simple home duties and caring little for the bustle of 
the big, outside world. She was the constant companion of 
her mother, and wdien the latter died she grieved bitterly at 
the loss. It in all likelihood hastened her own death, too. She 
faded visibly after her mother's death, and in the last months 
of her life developed consumption, to which she rapidly suc- 
cumbed. Her death occurred at the Brick House, Brecks- 
ville, in October, 1862. She was buried in the adjoining town- 
ship of Richfield by the side of the mother for whose loss she 
could not be comforted. It was with the intention of get- 
ting her mind off from this trouble that her family induced 
her to teach the home school in the early part of her last year. 

***** 

The following is a copy of a letter written to her by her 
sister Charlotte in the year 1846. 

MISS ORPHA H. SNOW. 

Boston, Summit County, 

Ohio. 

Saginash Hotel, Chicago. 
November 2, 1846. 
Dear Sister: 

Come now, lay by your work, and I will give you a de- 
scription of our journey to Chicago. We started from Bos- 
ton Monday morning (Oct. 19), arrived at Cleveland in the 
evening, went to Air. Gale's and stayed there till Thursday 
afternoon (Oct. 22), the lake being so rough that no boats 
came in before that time. We had a very pleasant time at Mr. 



Gale's. Mrs. Gale had an aunt to visit her from Alassachu- 
setts, an old maid about 50 years old, and a very g-ay, dressy 
and entertaining- lady she vi'as too, and almost a head taller 
than Sis. Oh she is such a little creature; but 1 think she 
must have been very handsome when young. 

We took cabin passage on board the good steamboat Wis- 
consin on Thursday evening and found ourselves at Detroit 
in the morning. You have no dt>ubt read descriptions of our 
steam boats but you can have no idea of their comfort and 
elegance until you visit them. The Wisconsin is called the 
second boat on the Lakes. Her captain was moving to Chi- 
cago, had his wife and family on board and was exceedingly 
careful of us I assure you. He took a lighter from Detroit, 
his boat being very heavily loaded, to help him over the flats 
in Lake St. Clair but we ran aground notwithstanding and 
were obliged to stay there on Sunday. Had a dance on Sat- 
urday and a sermon Sunday and were off Monday morning. 
There were quadrilles danced frequently when the boat was 
in motion, though we did not join in them. We had two 
clergymen on board. One of them seemed to enjoy the danc- 
ing very much. The other would leave immediately for the 
lower cabin and when the dancing was over would come up 
and have a prayer meeting. We had a concert one evening 
from some gentlemen styling themselves The Sable Method- 
ists. 'Twas very amusing. There were a great many gentle- 
men and ladies on board. Louis was the "favorite" with 
them all. The exclusives called him "Our baby." 

I was seasick only a part of one day. We arrived at Chi- 
cago Sunday evening (Nov. i), having been upon the Lakes 
II days. 

Nov. 3. Alexander has engaged a team and we are go- 
ing to start for our new home in the course of an hour. Cor- 
win was so unwell yesterday that we could not leave. He took 
a violent cold and was threatened with a fever. We gave him 
a sv/eat and doctored him pretty thoroughly and he is quite 
smart this morning. T have marked a new sleeve pattern for 
you on the ])aper. Let the paper be doubled and cut only 
where T have marked with a pen. It is made to look as though 
buttoned from the wrist to the elbow on the outside. T shall 
write to mother when we get to our journey's end. I do not 
like Chicago. The very air gives me the tooth ache. 



325 

Aiy love arid <;()o<l wishes to our Parents. 

\'ours affectionately CiiARLOTTR. 

The following- is a combination letter written by liolland, 
Ivuss, Orpha and Frances Snow to Charlotte and Alexander 
Snow when at Elk Horn Grove, Illinois. October 17 and 18, 

The part written by Orpha exemplifies the simple, mod- 
est fashion of her speaking and writing-. 

Brp:cksvillK, October 17, '53. 
Dear Brother and Sister: 

I need not tell you how sorry v^'e are that you have all 
lieen sick and how glad v/e should be to see you all here 
again. Perhaps it is not my place to advise or tell you what 
I think is for your best interests (I do not know) but there 
is one thing- certain — without health we have nothing — with 
it we have everything. So it is best tO' choose a healthy loca- 
tion if we cnn. You say you are undecided about coming 
home. Don't doubt that you would meet with a warm wel- 
comie or th.at you would have a home as long as you would 
wish to make it so. Times are g-ood, l)usiness likely, &c. &c. 
Father, mother, Owen and Orpha returned from Uncle John's 
yesterday, after being gone one week. Cousin Kimball came 
home with them. Goes back tomorrow morning. They sold 
Uncle a horse and he came to take it back. It is evening. We 
received your letters today. I have not much time to write. 
T thought I would write a few lines tonight as I am going to 
the Center in the morning. Mary sits by me — says "Give my 
love to them all." Mother sends her love and best wishes — 
wants to see you all very mucli. 

Yours truly, Holland. 

Monday Morning. October 18. 

Dear Children: 

Holland wishes me to write a few lines. I am at a loss to 
know what to say, not knowing the circumstances. We are 
grieved to think you are living in so sickly a place. We can 
all cheerfully endorse what Holland has written on the other 
page respecting spending the winter here if it will not disar- 
range }'our business too much. Do not doubt a hearty wel- 



3-6 

come and a warm greeting from us all, not omitting your sis- 
ters-in-law, for they are good girls and we all live in friend- 
ship. Now children if you don't come here, do get away from 
that sickly place but I will give the pen to Orpha as she just 
finished her breakfast. 

Your affectionate father, 

R. S. 

Dear A. J. and wife: 

Tliey always leave a little place for Orpha to write. I 
do believe they don't know how to finish a letter without I 
write a few lines at the bottom. Well if I was going to say 
anything about your coming here, I should say come on of 
course for I am on my tip toes to see you all but you will do 
as you think best about it. I will ask Frances or Mary to 
write a few lines. 

Your Sister, Orpha. 

Dear Sister Charlotte: 

Orpha tells me I must write a few lines to you. Can- 
not think of much to write but will say considerable, if you 
will come and make us a visit. I should be very much pleased 
to see you all. Mary would write but she is busy. Sends her 
love and says she will write next time. 

Your Sister, Frances. 
***** 

At this date none of Russ Snow's children are living. 
Charlotte, the oldest, and Owen, the third, died in the year 
1905. The following is an account from a Cleveland paper 
of the last Snow Reunion, at which they both v;ere present, 
held at the home of their sister-in-law, Mrs. Holland Snow, 
in the summer oi 1896. two years after the death of Holland 
Snow. The picture of his home, which appears in this book, 
was taken on the occasion of this reunion. 

SNOW FAMILY REUNION. 
{Cleveland Plain Dealer.') 

At the home of Mrs. Holland Snow on the Snow road, 
Brecksville, was held a reunion yesterday of the Snow fam- 
ilies. The relatives, most of whom are located in Cuyahoga 
county, were nearly all present. 

Dr. F. H. Snow, wife and son. Mrs. Charlotte Snow 



32/ 

and Mrs. Kittie Barnes and son, of Chadwick, ill., were the 
relatives present from abroad. The dinner, which was on the 
basket picnic order, was served on long tables in a beautiful 
grove of stately pines near the house. An abundance of fried 
chicken formed an important part of the repast. There were 
thirty-six of the relatives present, ten others being unable to 
attend. There were also about forty old friends and neigh- 
bors, who joined in the festivities cf the occasion. 

The Snow families are descended from two brothers, who 
were among the early pioneers of the township, having set- 
tled in the wilderness over sixty years ago. The story of the 
early settlement was related at the reunion by one of the early 
settlers, Mrs. Charlotte Snow, of Illinois. In the spring of 
1835 Russ Snow of Atkinson, Me.. c?.me west alone in search 
of a place to locate with his family. His intention was to 
go further west, but while making a short stop in Cleveland, 
he met a former acquaintance from his old home in Bath, N. 
H., who persuaded him to pay a \ isit to his home in Brecks- 
ville township. Mr. vSnow consented, and was so well pleased 
with the site that he purchased several liundrcd acres of land 
in the southeast corner of the townshi]). There were four 
acres cleared and a log cabin was erected on the place; the 
rest w^as the forest primeval. .\ path v/as cleared through 
the woods to the state road, two miles from the fann. Mr. 
Moses Hunt, who still resides in the neighborhood, and Lei- 
cester Dewey, were the (jnly neighbors. 

In the fall of the same year his family, consisting of a 
wife and five children. Charlotte, Jane, Owen, Orpha and Hol- 
land, joined him, making the trip by stage in four weeks. 
Soon after this Russ Snow's brother, Henry Holland, joined 
him in the land deal and with his family settled in the neigh- 
borhood. The members of the latter's household were a wife 
an.d nine children, Louise, Alexander. Payson. Harriet. Ange- 
line. Selina. Augusta, Charles and Carroll. 

The Snow family are well and favorably known among 
the early settlers of the cotmty. The place where the reunion 
was held was a portion of the original tract of land purchased 
sixty years ago. 



Xouisa Snow. 

1794-1837. 



LOUIvSA SNOW 

and 

Amos Stocker 

( Married 1823) 



Iv W^HlilCLOCK STOCKER. 

( 1824 ) married 

Mary E. Van Metre in [858. 

Elizabeth Stockkr 
( 1827-1902 ) . married 
Jeptha M. Van Metre in 
1868. 

Harriet Stock er, 
(1829-1874). married 
Isaac '1\ Van Metre in 1857. 

Ruth Stock er 
(T 83 5- 1859). married 
Jeptha M. Van Metre in 
1858. 



LOUISA SNOW. 

1794-1837- 

(Fourth child and only daughter of Benjamin.) 

Louisa Snow, tiie only daughter of Benjamin Snow and 
Elizabeth Payson, was born at Bath, New Hampshire, in the 
year 1794. She was married in 1823 to Amos Stocker, who 
was born at Lynn, [Massachusetts. Aug. 16, 1784. Mr. Stock- 
er was a mason by trade and also engaged in farming. He 
had been married before. The children of his first marriage 
were four sons. Henry, Newell, Eben and Daniel. 

In 1833, ten years after his second marriage. Amos 
Stocker and his family moved from Bath, N. H., to Atkin- 
son, Maine, and two years later, in 1835. in company with 
his son Newell, he went to Brecksville. Ohio, with his brother- 
in-law, Russ Snow. He and his son stopped at Buffalo, N. 
Y., for a short time, on their way to Ohio to work at their 
trade, and upon their arrival at Brecksville assisted Russ in 
clearing and planting the new land which he had selected. 
Amos purchased a part of it and Russ and his brother Henry 
took the balance. Mr. Stocker occupied the third log house 
upon the original tract of 430 acres. Louisa (Snow) Stocker 
follow^ed her husband to Ohio after he had established a home. 
She and her children made the journey alone and by water- 
ways as much as possible. The children were Eleazer Whee- 
lock, Elizabeth, Harriet and Ruth — or as their father called 
them — "Lock. Teen. Hite and Toot." 

Mrs. Stocker did not long survive after the removal to 
Ohio. She died at Brecksville, Dec. 30, 1837. and was buried 
in a little neighborhood cemetery in the adjoining town of 
Richfield on Jan. 1. 1838. Mr. Stocker died in Independence, 
Ohio, June i, 1863. and was buried by the side of his wife 
two days later. 

***** 

The following is a copy of a deed executed by Louisa 
Snow^ in 1821. by virtue of which she quit-claimed to her 
brother Russ all her interest in the estate of their father, Ben- 
jamin, in consideration of the payment by Russ of a sum of 
money. 



334 

Deed, Louisa Snow to Russ Snow. 
(Dec. 24, 1 82 1.) 
Know all men by these presents that I, Louisa Snow, of 
Bath in the County of Grafton and State of New Hampshire, 
Daughter and heir at law of Benjamin Snow, late of Bath in 
the County and State aforesaid. Gentleman, deceased, for and 
in consideration of the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars 
to me. the said Louisa Snow, by Russ Snow of said Bath, Gen- 
tleman and son of the said Benjamin Snow, deceased, well 
and truly paid, the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, 
have remised, released and forever quit claimed, and by these 
presents to remise, release and forever quit claim unto the 
said Russ Snow all right, title and interest which L the said 
Louisa SnO'W now have. may. might, should or would, or 
ought to have or claim of, in or out of all the estate, both 
Real and Personal of the said Benjamin Snow, so as neither 
1 nor my heirs nor any person in my name at any time here- 
after shall or may have, claim or prosecute any right, title 
or interest against the Estate of the said Benjamin Snow or 
against the said Russ Snow, his heirs or assigns, by virtue of 
any claim 1 now have or hereafter may have against the Real 

or Personal Estate of the said Benjamin Snow. In witness 

whereof 1 have hereunto set my hand and seal this 24th day 
of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hun- 
dred and twenty-one. 

(Seal) Louisa Snow. 

Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of us 

Sarah Page 

Lyman Cox. 

State of New Hampshire. 
Graftou County, ss. January 5, Anno Domini. 1822. 

Then personally appeared the above mentioned Louisa 
Snow and acknowledged the foregoing Instrument to be her 
free act and Deed before me. 

M. 'P. Pavsox. Justice Peace. 




To face page .^35. 

i;i.i:azi*.r wheelock stocker. 



33 S 
CHILDRKX Ol- LOUISA SXCnV \Xi) AMOS 

The children uf Lmiisa ( Simw ) Sttjcker. -'Lock. Teen. 
Hite and Toot." together with their laniihes. have for the 
most part spent tlicir Uves in the Middle West, and prmci- 
pally in Iowa. .Ml "f Louisa's four children married mem- 
bers of the Van Metre family, another energetic ]>ioneer fam- 
ily, influential in building^ up the present active civic life of 
Benton County, and the natural result is that the Van Metre 
blciod rather predominates in Louisa's grandchildren, at the 
l^resent time. For tlie benefit of tlie other branches of Ben- 
jamin Snow's family, and lest some one think that the com- 
pilers have made a mistake in the preparation of the family tree 
])refacin,g the Louisa Snow section of the book, attention is 
called to the fact that Jeptha M. Van Metre was tlie hus- 
band of both Ruth and Elizabeth Stocker. He married Ruth 
first and after her death, married her older sister. Kli7,abeth. 
so that in the familv tree ih-,- m:)rria^':;e U) Eli/.abeth appears 
first 



L 

ELEAZER WHEELCCK STOCKER. 

1824 

(First child of Louisa (Snow) Stocker.) 

Eleazer Wheelock Stocker. better known as W'heelock 
Stocker and commonly called "Lock," was born on the 20th 
of February, 1824. in Grafton County, New Hampshire. He 
married Mary Elizabeth Van Metre at Vinton, in Benton 
County, Iowa, on January 2!. 1858. She was born at Cir- 
cleville. Ohio, May 22, 1841. Mr. Stocker has led an active 
and eventful life. The earlier portion of it was full of interest 
and adventure, fie has resided in Benton County most of 
the time since 1855. and until his retirement from active work 
was engaged in farming. The stor}- of his life is best told 
in his own words as they were printed in the X'inton I-Cagic in 
January, igoq. 



() 



336 

The introduction to his article reads : 

AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL. 

K. W. STOCK ER. 

The following is an autobiographical sketch of one of 
the best known pioneers of the county — E. W. Stocker. He 
has been one of the active characters in building the civic life 
f the county : 

1 was born on a farm in Grafton County, New Hamp- 
shire, on the 29th of February, 1824. In the winter of 1833 
my father moved to Piscataquis County. Maine, and there in 
the woods commenced tO' niake a farm. The first year he 
rented another piece of land and before he raised a crop on his 
own place he moved to Cuyahoga County, Ohio. This was 
in the fall of 1835, and I remained at home helping on the 
farm until the spring of 1846 when 1 took Horace Greeley's 
advice and came west. 1 went tO' Ogle County, Illinois, where 
in company with A. J. Snow I rented a farm with 1,100 sheq) 
for two years. At the end (»f that time I found myself flat 
broke, so in the fall of 1848 1 went up to New Digins. Wis- 
consin, and worked a part of the wdnter in the lead mines at 
Shullsburg. In the spring of '49 myself and three other men 
from New Digins, managed, by a tight squeeze, to get to- 
gether a wagon, four yoke of oxen and ])rovisions enough, 
we thought, to last a year. 

O'n the 28th of March we started overland to the gold 
mines in California and reached Nevada County, California, 
on the 5th of September. Although one year's provisions were 
gone, we still had two 3'oke of oxen and a wagon, and w"ere in 
the gold mines. It did not take us long then to get money 
enough to buy food. In December I went to Big Bar. There 
were about twenty men on the Bar that winter, from almost 
that many States. Gold was plenty, but provisions w^ere high, 
for everything had to be brought in on pack mules from Sac- 
ramento City, eighty miles away. Flour was $1.50 per pound, 
bacon $2.50 per pound, and potatoes were $2.50 per pound, 
molasses was $16 per gallon and eight-penny nails were twen- 
ty-five cents each. There was only one merchant on the Bar 
that winter and the most he sold was w'hiskey at $1 a drink 
and the necessary provisions. He got up a dinner on Wash- 
ington's birthday for $8. The bill of fare consisted of boiled 




K. \V. STOCKKR AND O. P. SXOW. 




To face page 336. 

O. P. SXOW AND K. W. STOCKER. 
PAN XV SXOW KNOWLTOX AND 

EMMA SXOW BARTLETT. 



;.;v 



potatoes, fried har.i. bread, hiitter. ]>ickles, boiled pudding-. 
New Orleans molasses and dried apple pie. As he came out 
from dinner a vounir man from Georcjia asked me if I had no- 
ticed 'i'onnessee. i sai<l i bad not and inrpdred wiiat the 
trouble was. lie rei)licd that ib.e fellow was a heathen and 
a big hog. for after getting- dinner as cheap as that the bog 
took two pieces of ])ie. 

In the spring of '54 I came east across the plains with 
pack mules in company wilb U\c others. We made the trip 
from Placerviile. California, to W'estport. now Kansas City. 
Mo., in sixty-five days of travel. 

1 arri\e'I in Iowa the Ih'st of September. 1854, and after 
ritiing with W. S. Snow over the State about four weeks, we 
located in whai was then Iowa township, now Kane. After 
entering ]v,y land, for almost all the land in the township was 
then owned by the goxernment. 1 went to Carroll County, Ill- 
inois, antl stayed during the winter. Then in the s])ring of '55 
W. S. J^novv and [ started from Illinois with a breaking team 
of four yoke of oxen, two horses and a w.agon, tooy>en up our 
farm in Hcnton County, Iowa. .\t Sa\'annah, Illinois, we 
took on 1,000 feet of lumber for my house, which was the sec- 
ond bouse built in what is now Kane townshi]). Mrs. Snow 
and my sister came with us, riding on top of the lumber with 
all our household goods. We lived in the wagon, or under it. 
while Snow was building the house and 1 was breaking the 
prairie. The first year we put in some corn on the sod, but it 
didn't amount to much. The next year we had about sixty 
acres in crops. The wheat went about fifteen bushels to the 
acre, but the corn was poor. We had no fence to protect 
wdiat we did raise, and it so happened that we had a neigh- 
bor living four miles from us who had quite a number of colts 
roaming on the prairie. They soon got a taste of our corn: 
we were able to kce]) them away in the day time and 1 asked 
the owner to put them up at night, but he wouldn't do it. One 
mornine on findino- the colts in the corn. T told a voung man 
who was working for me to take a horse and drive the colts 
three or four miles in the opposite direction from where the 
owner was living. My man had ])een back but a short time 
when the <»wner came hunting his colts. He wanted to know 
if I had seen anything of them. 1 told him I had and the last 
I saw of them tbev were following our wood road toward 
Buckeve GroAc. 1 told him I was afraid he would have to 



338 

g;o some distance and that he was welcome to a horse to ride, 
tor he had walked from home and seemed rather tired. He 
found the colts four or five miles away and ever after kept 
them at home. He was very grateful to me for the use of the 
horse that day and shov.ed his gratitude in many little acts 
of kindness. 

In the summer of 1856 my house burned down and we 
uere left on the prairie with a little money, which I found in 
the ruin. We could live ver)' well on the prairie in the sum- 
mer, but 1 knew from experience that we would have to have 
a house for the winter, sO' I went to Ohio, borrowed money at 
i o per cent, built a small house and got into it in October. 

The next year, ''^y. I was commissioned by Judge Doug- 
lass to organize and name the township. This I did by call- 
ing' an election and electing township officers. There were ten 
voters in the township at that time, only one of the ten being a 
D'emocrat, but we had to give him an oftlce because it took 
every man in the township to fill them. The township was 
named Kane for Dr. Kane, the arctic explorer. 

My sister was married to J. M. Van Metre in December 
and ( married his niece, Mary E. Van Metre in Januarv. 

'858- 

In the sprmg of '59 1 had again an attack of the gold fe- 
ver and started to Pike's Peak. On account of bad reports, 
however. 1 turned back before getting there. In the spring 
of "64. in company with Mr. Bliss and James Sterling, who 
IS now living in Blairstown, I started to Montana in search 
of gold. The gold diggings there were not like the Califor- 
nia mines in '49, and I only stayed there about two months. 
Just about that time there wr ^ a freight train starting for the 
States, so 1 paid $25 for the privilege of riding home in a 
freight wagon. On the way home, about 100 miles north of 
the Snake River in Montana, I saw a battle between two tribes 
of Indians, the Blackfoot and the Flatheads. Our party, con- 
sisting of thirty men and the train of seven wagons, had no 
trouble with the Indians until we struck the Platte River, 
about fifty miles below Julesburg. Then one night just after 
dark we were surrounded by Indians, who attempted to stam- 
pede the mules. But we had been looking for trouble and had 
made a corral with the wagons so that the mules were safe 
unless the Indians took the train. This, however, they did not 
try to do. There was a small immigrant train about three 




To face page ,5,58. 



MRS. K. W . STOCKEK. 



\ 



3:^9 

miles below us (jn the river which did not fare so well. The 
Indians drove off all their stock, killed one man and wounded 
three others. At P't. Kearney 1 toiik passa<^e in the overland 
stage for Omaha. From there 1 went to Nevada, Story Coun- 
ty, at tliat time the end of llie Chicago Northwestern railroad 
and arrived lioine some time in November. Here I was con- 
icnt to remain and live quietly on the farm until ,-il)out twelve 
years ago I rented it and came to lUairstown. 

In the copy of the Vinton Eagle, before referred to, was 
;ui article by I. Van Metre, entitled "Some h'irst Settlers." 
The following is what Mr. Van Metre said of E. W. Stockerc 

The second house built in Kane township was that of E. 
\V. Stocker, built on N. \V. j/l sec. 36. Mr. Stocker still owns 
the land, although for several years a resident of Blairstown. 
.Mr. Stocker. a ([uiet, plain man. making no display, has always 
been one of the most successful and influential men on the 
vSouthern Slo|>e. He celebrated his eightieth birthday last 
winter, at wliicli a number of his old cronies, men and women. 
were present. He continues to enjoy fairly good health, and. 
with his wife, lives contented at Blairstown. He has one son 
and two daughters living. The eldest, Mrs. George Kirk, re- 
cently W'idowed, lives in Blairstown ; the other daughter lives 
with her husband on the home farm, and Jacob, the son, on 
one of his father's farms in Union township. This townshi]) 
was organized in 1857, E. W. Stocker having been appointed 
commissioner to attend to the matter by Judge Douglass. Mr. 
Stocker snid that Judge Douglass probably thought he was a 
Democrat, from his rough exterior. There were ten votes 
cast at the first election, held in August of that year. 



E. \\'. Stocker himself sa3-s of his services in connection 
with the organization of Kane Township: 

"I was appointed by S. A. Douglass, County Judge of 
Benton Co., Iowa, in 1857 to organize Kane Township. 1 
also named the township, and at the first election in the town- 
ship was elected township clerk, and was afterwards elected 
to and filled the following township Offices : Road Supen-isor. 
Trustee, Assessor, and Tustice of the Peace. 



340 



"In 18O0 I was elected a member of the Benton County 
Board of Supennsors and re-elected three times. 

"Was made a Blue Lodge Mason in 1858, joined Chapter 
in 1863. Commandery in 1867 and De Molay Consistory in 



i o / ^. 




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Q 

t— t 

X 
u 

Q 

< 

Pi 

h-l 



US 

o 

t/1 



in 



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be 

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341 

CHILDREN. 

(Ut" 1'". Wheelock and Mary E. (Van Metre) Stocker.) 

I. I. \\.\\<\ LOUISE, 1). June 13, i.Sf)i, Kane Twp., Ben- 
ton Co., Iowa; ni. Geo. M. Kirk. Iiinc 24. 1S85. 

I. 2. jOE WHEELOCK. h. Mar. 15. iS(.4, Kane 'rCvp., 
la. ; d. Feb. 11, 1879. 

I. 3 ANNE SALOME, b. June 17. 1872. Kane Twp.. la.; 
m. E. D. Wilson. Sept. 19. 1895. Blainstown. la. 

1. 4. j.\COB POLHILL, b. Mar. 25, 1875. Kane Twp., la.; 
m. Anne Allen. June 8, 1898, Bath, Calif. 



L T. MARY LOUISE (STOCKER) KIRK. 
( Dan. E. W. Stocker, Son Louisa Snow, Dau. Benjamin.) 

Mary Louise Stocker was born June 13, 1861, in Kane 
Townshi]>. Benton County, Iowa. She was married to George 
-M. Kirk in tlie same town, June 24, 1885. He was born at 
Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio, December 19, 1859, the 
son of David Kirk. Mr. Kirk was a farmer and (Hed at 
Blairstown. Iowa. August 3, 1904. 

CHILDREN. 

I a. Eva Loraine Kirk, b. May 28, 1886, Blairstown. Iowa. 

Now in College at Cedar Ra])i(ls, la. 
lb. George Stocker Kirk, b. April 19, 1888. Blairstown; 

m. Elsie Hagen, Dec. 20, 1906. 
ic. Ceara Louise Kirk, b. June 29. 1894. Blairstown. 
1(1. John Lehr Kirk, b. Mar. 20, 1896, Blairstown. 



I. 3. ANNE vSALOME (STOCKER) WILSON. 
( Lan. E. W. Stocker, son Louisa Snow, dau. Benjamin.) 
Anne vSalome Stocker was born in Kane Township, Ben- 
t(ni County. Iowa, June 17. 1872. and was married to E. D, 
Wilson, September 19, 1895, at Blairstown, la. He was born 
in Illinois. October 22, 1871, the son of Alexander Wilson. 
Mr. Wilson is a farmer and with his family resides on the old 
Stocker home place near Keystone. la. 

CHILDREN. 

3a. Edwin Wheelock Wilson, b. July 19. 1896. Blairs- 
town, Ta. 



342" 

^:;I). AIarv Ewi'ii WiLSO?:, b. .Vv.g". lo, i<S97, Keystone, ia. 

3c. Marjorie Louisi: Wilson..!). Feb. u,. 1901, Keystone. 

;^(\. EuGENK Douglas Wilson, b. Dec. 23, 1902, Keystone. 

3e. James Donald W'ilson, b. .Vr.g-. [-, J905. Keystone. 



I. 4. JACOB POLHILL STOCKER. 

(Son E. \y. Stocker. son Louisa Snow, dau. Benjamin.) 

Jacob Polhill Stc;cker was born March 25, 1875, in Kane 
Township, Benton County, Iowa. He married Annie Al- 
len June 8, 1898, at Bath. Cahfornia. She was born Oc- 
tober 21, 1880. at Forest Hill, Placer County, California, the 
daughter of E. Allen. JMr. Stocker resides at Oakland, Cal., 
across the bay from San Francisco. :\r,d was th.ere at the time 
of the terrible earthquake and fire, which so nearly annihi- 
bilated San Francisco' on .A^pril iS, 19^6. The following arc 
two letters written l^y iNIr. Stocker a few days after the ca- 
tastrophe. Tb.ey contain grapliic and interesting- descriptions 
of the great cataclysm and are worthy of presentation for the 
sake of the Idstoric value they will possess for subsequent 
generations of the family. 



SAN FK.XNCISCO D1SASTE1^ LETTERS. 
(J. P. Stocker.) 

O.VKLANi). Cal. ,\pril [8, 1906. 
Dear Ones All: 

Well, at this time. 7 130, we are still in ihc land of the 
living, but. Oh! if you could only see the ruins. San Fran- 
cisco almost a total wreck. Traffic has been stopped. No- 
body is allowed to go across but they are bringing the people 
over the bay to Oakland b)' tb.e tliousands. It will be years 
before the ruins can be cleared. Frank Allen came over this 
forenoon ; he says San Francisco has sunk all along the wa- 
ter front and up as far as 6th street (which is about 12 blocks) 
all the way from four to eight feet. All the water is cut off. 
fire is raging and the heavens are lit up as if by an enor- 
mous electric light. There have been all of ten or twelve dis- 
tinct quakes during the day. The first at 5:16 a. m. Our 
clock at the coal yard stopped at 5 :20, that was what it was 
when 1 o(>t there. 




y. 
y. 



— i/. 
:- '-^ 



X. 
X 



X 



be 



X 



^4^ 

No damag'c was done at llie yard except the baled hay 
was scattered about some, also (jiie of the main entrance stud- 
ding was broken. We had a lanij) burninj^;' on a stand in our 
bed room. It fell to the floor and set Hre to the room. I 
smothered the flames with the bed clothes. A few dishes were 
broken, in all al>out three dollars would cover our loss. 

The first shock lasted about thirty seconds, and about 
8:15 another of about five seconds' duration occurred. All 
the rest were real slight. 1 took the horse and buggy this aft- 
ernoon and drove over about twenty miles from Oakkuid. 
W'ould imagine the damage any way from i to 2 million df.>l- 
!ars. Six deaths are all re]K)rted for Oakland. The city 
would make your heart sick. Tluiusruids on tliousands with- 
out a home. Family on family who have lost those dear to 
them. You people can thank God you are so far from here. 
Think of the poor unfortunates pinned under the ruins being 
roasted t(j death. You have no idea nor can 1 picture it to 
you in its reality. But enougli (>{ this. If I could only blot 
it all from memory. Good night. With lo\-e to all from all. 
As e^•er Your son. 

Jakk. 



Oakl.\ni>. Cal.. Apr. 27, 1906. 
George G. Sherwood, 

Blairstown, Iowa. 
Dear Sir: 

Yours of the 23rd inst. at hand and in reply will say : 
.Although we are badly shaken up, we still appreciate the fact 
of being able to say our lives were spared. Five lives were 
lost in Oakland by the earthquake; they being members of a 
theatrical company having rooms on the third floor of the 
Empire building. 

This buildino- was one of about one hundred whose roofs 
collapsed, but thankfully the only one in which lives were lo.st. 
San Francisco probably received the hardest shake, and had 
it not been for the breaking of the water mains, the city's loss 
would have been slight. As it was. San Francisco as far as 
\'an Ness Ave. on the north and i8th street on the south side 
of Market vStreet is completely ruined. r)wing to the terrific 
fire. 



344 

O^e-it credit should be g;iven the citv firemen for the work 
they (h(l — \yi\\\% handicapped for water, .-dl tiiey could use 
was dynamite and this of itself would have proved a great 
l>rotecti(-in. lir;d tiie wind not been of such a high velocity. 
Maities swci)t sky high, \^ nuhl leap gaps of from 4 to 5 hun- 
dred feet as though it were but an inch. "Chinatown," "that 
gre.'it curiosity of the West," is a thing of the past. In this 
district hundreds of Chinese and whites were cremated like 
vats m a traij. as the hre, in less time than it would take to 
explain, luid completely surrounded them. Lots of people 
think this district had ample warning by which the residents 
c. luld have made their escape. But when one takes into con- 
sideration the locality, it is strange more lives were not 
s-icrihced.. 'j'he place is situated on the east slope of what is 
known as Telegraph Hill : the hre was coming from the east 
\\\. dusk Saturday, and every one fully believed it was under 
CMutrol. The changing of the wind towards morning put a 
different aspect on the scene. People awoke to find themselves 
civniplttely surrounded by fire. While many escaped as though 
by a miracle, others were not so fortunate, as their charred 
bodies found scattered around through the burnt district bear 
sdfut testimony t(f the fact. Thousands are here in Oak- 
l-i.nrl. Pro\isions are at jjresent coming in real plentifully. 
.''11 Oiikland lacks is one big oven in which to cook food for 
the multitude. Not a chimney in our city remains standing. 
Vcu. could go in rmy direction in our cit}' and it would be a 
surprise not to find an improvised oven or stove, either on the 
lawns in front of the house, or better still out in the gutter. 
The refugees, ns well as the "Oaklandites." cooking their 
humble meal on the same stove. Well, it might be called a 
city of but ore family. The earth at this writing is still in 
nn unsettled condition. Tremblings are felt at intervals of 
from 3 to 5 hours, some which have been real hard. 

Thousands of people are leaving- daily, thousands will be 
left behind, not having enough of w^ordly possessions tO' take 
ihem out of the cf)untry. The papers are doing all they can 
to supjjress actual facts from being sent l)roadcast. Would 
that I were able to give you a more graphic description of 
this stricken country, but words will fail to- express the soul 
sickening sights. 

Here you may see an aged man or woman, or again you 
might see even little children who have become separated from 



:>45 

those they dearly hive. God only kr,o\v.s how these \HX)r un- 
fortunates will be restored to loving arms or family firesides. 

John O'liricr.. of I.u/.erne, Iowa, who wr's here on a 
^ isit with his sister and brother-in-law. .Mr. and Mrs. Don- 
ohue, became sc]>arated from them ilm-inic ^he lire. hViday 
noon j(.ihn, by what you may call hiclc. ha]>])ened to iind our 
place. ihe first words were, "lla\c yi/U seen Mat or Mapf- 
fie?" Of coin"se. we had not. Ylrit afternoon as we were 
_y-oini4- ^*^ ^'^'-' "I I'ibune" office to ha\e an ad. ])ut in the paper, 
who should we meet cominj^ u]) IJiDadwax- but .Mr. Dcjnohue 
and his littie family, ^'()u can imaorine how thankful they 
were to be reunited. Many, yes many, will not be so fortu- 
nate. That childish prattle is stillel. That loving' face is but 
;i memory. That lovins.^ father or miaher, where are they? 
Would that it were onl}- a dream insiead of a stern reality. 
Some thing's have ad\'anced 50' ^ ;u;d were it not for the gen- 
erosity of the surrounding counlry sending in supplies, we 
should surely be in the midst oi a famin.e. 

San h'rancisco has scarcely any water. Oakland only 
enough to supply tJic demand. 

Everything that can be done to make things sanitary is 
being pushed forward, but owing to the large district laid deso- 
late, this of itself is slow work. Business is at a standstill, 
nothing can be had except for cash. Xo matter wh.at )'otn- 
bank account was yesterday, your credit is no g'ood today. 
Many of the business men were ruined, more will he. There 
is not a store standing on either side of the bay. which has 
not sustained a loss; nil shelf go.';(ls were tlirown to the floor. 
To give you an idea will mention 2 or 3 grocers in my vicin- 
ity which suffered a loss : Bernhard &: Erickson. stock $6,000, 
loss $2.20<): J. S. Wixson. stock $3,000. loss $975: C. A. 
Wetmorc Sons, stock $4,200. loss $1,100. These are a few 
of the hundreds in Oakland. San Jose and Santa Ro.sa suf- 
fered equally as much. 

Thanking you for your kindness, and wishing to l)e re- 
membered to all. I remain as ever. 

J. P. Stock KR. 

CHILDREN. 

4a. A].\RV Agn'IvS, b. Mar. 3, 1899, Union Twp., Benton Co.. 
la. 



346 

4b. ErskinT' Wheelock. b. Oct. 2t,. igoo, Union Twp., 

Benton Co., Ta. 
4C. Jacob, b. Nov. 9, 1903 ; d. June 24, 1905. 
4d. Joe, b. May 18, 1905. 
4t\ Annie Irene, b. June, 1906. 



347 
fl. 

ELIZABETH STOCKER. 

1827-1902. 
(Second child of Louisa Snow.) 
Elizabeth Stocker. or "Teen," as she was called by her 
father, was born at Ryegate. New Hampshire. June 3. 1827. 
She was married to Jeptha M. Van Metre. December i, 1868. 
He was born February 26. 1825, at Martinsbur^-, Virginia, 
the son of John Van Metre. He was a farmer and resided in 
Virginia. Ohio and Iowa. He died April 6. 1886, and was 
buried in Benton County. la. Mr. Van Metre had no chil- 
dren by his marriage with Elizabeth Stocker. This was his 
second marriage, he having been married before to Elizabeth's 
youngest sister. Ruth Stocker. By the latter he had one 
child, a daughter, now well known as Helen Van Anderson. 
Elizabeth Stocker Van Metre died Feb. 18. 1902. 



The Van Metre family has played so large a part in the 
history of the Snow^ family as it is represented by the Stock- 
ers. especially by reason of one of its members having been 
married to two of the Stocker daughters, that it is altogether 
appropriate that some account of the "Early Van Metres" be 
given. 

The following is a sketch from the Vinton Eagle, writ- 
ten by L Van Metre, one of the brothers of Jeptha M. Van 
Metre, and Isaac Taylor Van Metre, who married Harriet 
Stocker. 

THE VAN xMETRES. 

BY I. VAN MKTRE. 

Early in the spring of 1856. the Van Metres had a house 
raising. It was an event in the community. A neighborhood 
in those days covered a large space of country, a radius of 
many miles. The neighbors were all invited. A big" stock of 
provisions had been provided for the occasion, with the et 
ceteras. The house w-as 52x18 feet in size, a story and a half, 
hewed logs. It was in two parts, each eig'hteen feet square, 



348 

with a twelve-foot hall between. It will he seen that the brawn 
and muscle of the entire neighborhood had a g-ood-sized job on 
hand. But they did the work and had a jolly g^ood time be- 
sides. 

John E. Van Metre was a Virginian by birth and breed- 
ing, but had spent more than a quarter of a century in Ohio 
before coming- to Iowa. He had been something- of a politi- 
cian, had served several terms in the Legislature and several 
years on the bench. Few people who stopped at his house, 
and there were many during the next six or seven years, ever 
forg-ot him. He was a Whig- in politics, and in Ohio his house 
had been headquarters for the big- men of that party when 
campaigning- in that section of the State, then done all on 
horseback. Tom Ewing, Tom Corwin, Elias Florence and 
other big- men were friends of his and at various times his 
guests. He did not like the political progfram of the Repub- 
lican party: it was too much abolition. 1 have often won- 
dered why he felt this way, since his father and mother's fa- 
ther had both in their wills freed all their slaves. A drove of 
these followed him to Ohio, and it may be that the poor use 
most of them made of their freedom led him to believe them 
better under the restraints of a master. But he never hked 
being called a Democrat. He had fought the party too long. 
Once at Cedar Rapids, during the campaign of 1856, there was 
a mass meeting, intended to be a big one, at Western. Judge 
George Green nominated Judge Van Metre for chairman. 
My father declined the honor. He afterwards said that he 
might vote the ticket, but he did not like to have any publicity 
made of the fact. O'f the six sons wlio came with Judge Van 
Metre to Iowa, H. C. and myself are the only survivors. Henry 
is living in Tipton in comfortable circumstances. He has foiir 
boys and three girls living, and all doing well. Ezra, real es- 
tate, and Dr. E. J., both married, live at Tipton; John is mar- 
ried and lives on a farm in South Dakota ; Sallie married Rev. 
Charles E. Stinson and is now living in Boston ; Rena married 
Harry Witmer and lives on a farm near Wilton ; Paul is sec- 
retary for the Highland Nobles, with headquarters at Des 
Moines ; Jessie is stenographer and bookkeeper in the Citizens' 
National Bank at Tipton. He and his wife, Rhoda, who was 
a Winterstein, are perhaps as contented and happy a couple as 
there is in Iowa. Three of his boys and twO' of his girls are 
married. T have four boys and two girls living. The two old- 



340 

or boys. Kichard and Ricker. arc away at scIiuijI, Richard in 
his senior year in tlic AlccHcal I )epartmcnt of the State Uni- 
versity at Iowa C\[y. and Ixickcr in his junior year in tlie Law 
Department oi the I ni\crsity of Minnesota. Our oldest 
dau<;liter. x\4ar,i]^arcl. is a gra(hiate of the Iowa State Univer- 
sity; the secoiKh Virginia, is attenchn^- the State Normal at 
Cedar h^alls. We have twin Ijoys ten years nid, Tfomer and 
Maurice, attcnchnj^ the pubhc school. 

Isaac T. Van Metre, known as Taylor, my eldest brother, 
has been ilcad several years. He left a large family of chil- 
dren, of whom four sons and two daughters are still living'. 
John, the oldest, is on a farm in South Dakf)ta ; Kred and 
Will own. farms in Marshall County; Charles, the youngest, 
is a .Meth()(hst minister, stationed at Alden ; llattie is married 
to a Congregational minister. Re\'. Charles Oxley ; Nettie mar- 
ried a young farmer named Collins. They reside in Nebraska; 
Carrie is a teacher in the jRiblic schools of a South Dakota 
town. Thev are all well to do. 

jeptha left one daughter, who is a writer and has pub- 
lished several b<H)ks under the name of Helen Van .'\nderson. 
She has three children, the second of whom, Rollo Anderson, 
graduated from West Point last June. She resides in New 
York. 

John, the youngest brother, died at Blairstown twenty 
years ago. 



.-j.-:^ 



III. 

HARRIET STOCKER. 

1829-1874. 

(Third child of Louisa Snow.) 

Harriet Stocker. third child of Louisa Snow and Amos 
vStocker. by whom she was given the nickname of "Hite" 
when a child, was born July 27, 1829, at Ryegate, New Hamp- 
shire. She was married on Dec. 22, 1857, to Isaac Taylor 
V^an Metre. He was born at Martinsburg, Virginia, in 1823. 
the son of John Van Metre. Mr. Van Metre was a farmer 
and resided in Virginia, Ohio and Iowa. He died in May, 
1886. and was buried at Minerv-a, Marshall County, Iowa. 
Harriet (Stocker) Van Metre had died before, in Februar)', 
1874, and was buried at Minerva. 



CHILDREN. 
(Of Harriet (Stocker) and Isaac Taylor Van Metre.) 

IIT. I. JOHN VAN METRE, b. Sept. 23, 1858, Benton 

Co.. Iowa; m. Lillie Teagar, Feb. 23, 1885. 
III. 2. FRED VAN METRE, b. April 13. 1863. Luzerne. 

Benton Co., la.; m. Mary A. Teagar. Mar. i, 

1887. 
HI. 3. WILL VAN METRE, b. Feb. t6, 1866. Belle Plaine, 

Benton Co., la. ; m. Maria Newland, Feb. 23, 

1890, Clemons, Marshall Co.. la. 
ill. 4. NETTIE MAY VAN METRE, b. May 3, 1870. 

near State Center, Iowa; m. Eugene Collins. 

Mar. 7, 1894. 
III. 5. CHARLES H. VAN METRE, b. Mar. 19. 1872. 

near State Center, Marshall Co.. la. ; m. Adeline 

L. Fellingham, Oct. 8. 1902. 



HI. 1. JOHN VAN METRE. 

(vSon Harriet Stocker, dau. Louisa Snow, dau. Benjamin.) 

John Van Metre, oldest son of Harriet (Stocker) Van 
Metre, was born at Belle Plaine, Iowa, Sept. 23, 1858. He mar- 



351 

ried Lillie J. Tcag-ar at State Center, la., I^^cb. 23, 1885. She 
was born at State Center, Feb. 29, 1864. the dauj^hter of M. 
A. Teagar. John Van Metre is a farmer and now resides on 
a farm in Utchen, South Dakota. 

CHILDREN. 

la. Bkn T. Van Mutkk, b. Dec. 10. 1887. St. .\nthony. 

Iowa. 
lb. Lke Van Metre, b. Oct. 15. 1893. St. Anth.ony: d. June 

24, 1894. 
Tc. Florence Van Metre, b. April J5. 1897, demons. la. 



III. 2. FRED VAN METRE. 
(Son Harriet Stocker, dau. Louisa Snow, dau. Benjamin.) 
Fred Van Metre, second son of Harriet (Stocker) Van 
Metre, was born April 13, 1863, in Luzerne, Iowa. He mar- 
ried Mary A. Teagar Mar. i. 1887. She was born at Liberty. 
Marshall Co., Iowa, Feb. 16, 1866, the daughter of David 
Teagar. Fred Van Metre is a farmer and resides in Mar- 
shall County, at Bromley. 

children. 

2a. Raymond L. Van Metre, b. Sept. 9. 1889, Marshall 

Co. la. 
2b. Mattie B. Van Metre, b. June 24, 1894, Marshall Co. 
2c. Teddie B. Van Metre, b. Aug. 31, 1899, Marshall Co.; 

d. Sept. II, 1899. 
2d. Earl T. Van Metre, b. April 27. 1901. Bromley, la. 
2e. Wilbur D. Van Metre, b. June 6, 1905, Bromley. 

III. 3. WILL VAN METRE. 
(Son Harriet Stocker, dau. Louisa Snow, dau. Benjamin.) 
Will Van Metre, third son of Harriet (Stocker) Van 
Metre was born in Belle Plaine, Iowa. Feb. 16, 1866. He mar- 
ried Maria Newland at demons, la., Feb. 23. 1890. She was 
born June 10, 1865, at demons, the daug-hter of D. C. New- 
land. Will Van Metre is a farmer and has resided in Mar- 
shall County thirty-six years. His home is in St. Anthony. 



352 

111. 4. NETTIE MAY (VAN METRE) COLLINS. 
(Dau. Harriet Stocker, clau. Louisa Snow, dau. Benjamin.) 
Nettie May Van Metre, the only daughter and fourth 
child of Harriet (Stocker) Van Metre, was born May 3, 
1870, near State Center, Marshall Co., Iowa. She was mar- 
ried to Eugene T. Collins, March 7, 1894. He was bom 
July 5, 1871, the son of Thomas Collins. Mr. Collins is a 
farmer and resides at St. Edwards, Nebraska. 

CHILDREN. 

4a. Dora Collins, b. May 9, 1895, St. Edwards, Nebraska. 
4b. Fred Collins, b. Jan. 2, 1897, St. Edwards. 

IIL 5. CHARLES H. VAN METRE. 
(Son Harriet Stocker, dau. Louisa Snow, dau. Benjamin.) 
Charles H. Van Metre, youngest son and child of Har- 
riet (Stocker) Van Metre, was born near State Center, Mar- 
shall Co., Iowa, March 19, 1872. Mr. Van Metre is a min- 
ister of the M. E. church. He graduated from' Upper Iowa 
University at Fayette, la., in June, 1897, and from Garrett 
Biblical Institute, Evanston, 111., in 1902. He married Ade- 
line L. Fellingham, Oct. 8, 1902. She was born April 9, 
1870, at West Side, Crawford County, Iowa, ithe daughter of 
Alfred P. Fellingham. Charles Van Metre has served the 
following churches — Arthur, Iowa, three years; Lake Bluff, 
111., two years ; Alden. la., four years, and he now resides at 
Belmond. la., whither he moved Oct. i, 1906. 

CHILDREN. 

5a. Helen Adeline Van Metre, b. Aug. 11, 1903, Alden 
Iowa. 




To face page 353 

HELKN VAN ANDERSON. 



353 

IV. 
RUTH STOCKER. 

(Fourth child of Lcuiisa Snow.) 
Ruth Stocker, the youngest cliihl of Louisa Snow and 
-A mo? Stocker, called "Toot" by her lather, was born at At- 
k'^ Tson, ATaine. May 2, 1835, shortly before her parents re- 
moved to Breck.sville, Ohio. She was married on March 16, 

1858. to Jeptha M. Van Metre, who after her death, which 
occurred Jan. 2y , 1859, married for his second wife her oldest 
sister, Elizabeth Stocker. As elsewhere indicated, Jeptha M. 
Van Metre was born at Martinsburg, Virginia, Feb. 26, 1825, 
the son of John Van Metre. Jeptha M. Van Metre was a sol- 
dier in tlie Civil War. He entered the army in 1861 as a 
private in Com]>any H, 6th Towa Cavalry, and was mustered 
out at the close of the war as Captain. He died April 6. 1886, 
and was buried in Ben.ton County. 

Ruth (Stocker) Van Metre had but one cliild, Helen 
Van IMetre. born Jan. 17. 1859. She survived but a few days 
after the birth of her child, her death occurring Jan. 27. 

1859. ^'^^ was buried in Benton County, Iowa. 

CHILDREN". 

(Of Ruth (Stocker) and Jeptha M. Van Metre.) 

IV. T. HELEN VAN METRE, b. Jan. 17, 1859. Benton 
County, Iowa; m. Lewis Anderson. Jan. 17. 
1878. 



IV. I. HELEN VAN ANDERSON. 

(Dau. Ruth Stocker, dau. Louisa Snow, dau. Benjamin.) 
Helen Van Metre, only child of Ruth Stocker and Jeptha 
M. Van Metre, was born in Benton County, Iowa, Jan. 17, 
1859. She was married to Lewis Anderson, Jan. 17, 1878. 
He was born Nov. 17, 1849, i^ Norway and is an apothecar}- 
by occupation. 

Mrs. Van .Anderson has led a very active and interest- 
ing life, as an author, editor, lecturer and preacher. The 
scene of her endeavor has extended into manv sections of the 



354 

land and she has reared her three children for the performance 
of useful, interesting and unusual work. 

Her own work for nearly twenty-two years has been that 
of a preacher, lecturer and writer. For seven years she lec- 
tured on ethical and philosophical subjects in many States 
(something- over twenty), and thereafter she went to Boston, 
where, after free missionary church services for two years, 
she was duly ordained to preach the Gospel, without regard 
to sect or creed. Her ordination was conducted by the Rev. 
Minot Savage, the leading Unitarian of America, the Rev. F. 
ivollock, a prominent Universalist, and Rev. Antionette B. 
Blackwell (Congregationalist), the first woman ordained to 
the ministry in America. The latter was a sister-in-law of 
Lucy Stone, pioneer Woman Suffragist. Henry B. Black- 
well, editor of the "Woman's Tribune" (Boston), also offi- 
ciated. Mrs. Van Anderson w^as called as pastor of the 
Church of the Higher Life, which was founded as a result of 
her work, and remained in that service seven years. 

Since then she has been lecturing and writing. She was 
editor of The New York Magazine nearly three years, and 
also edited a children's magazine, called The Cup Bearer, and 
published in Chicago. She has written five books, viz., "The 
Right Knock," "Carrol's Conversion," "The Story of Teddy," 
"The Journal of a Live Woman," and "The Mystic Scroll." 
She is engaged on another book at the present time. 

Her oldest son. Rollo, is an army officer, having gradu- 
ated from West Point in June, 1904. He is a First Lieuten- 
ant in the Coast Artillery and has been stationed at The Pre- 
sidio, San Francisco, Cal., since leaving the Academy. 

Her daughter, Jasmine Van Anderson, is at present Su- 
perintendent of the American Hospital and Training School 
for Nurses in Constantinople, Turkey, where she has been for 
eighteen months. 

Lea Van Anderson, her youngest son, after leaving Felix 
Adler's Ethical Culture School in New York City, accompa- 
nied Prof. Geo. Wharton James on an exploring expedition 
into the desert of the Colorado River in Southern Califor- 
nia, and assisted in gathering data for the fascinating two vol- 
ume work which was brought out last year by Prof. James. 
Lea drew the first authentic map of the desert for this book. 



355 

It appears in the first volume in fac-similt: with his name at- 
tached. He is now with a business firm in Los Anj^eles, Cali- 
fornia, 



The following are two poems from Mrs. Van Ander- 
son's pen. The first, entitled, "7\. God Alone can Comprehend 
a God," is indicative of the serious religious phase of the 
writer's life and work which has found more extensive ex- 
pression in her lecturing- and preaching; and the second, 
■'Nellie's Cradle-Song," is a graceful little Lullaby such as 
one would naturally expect from the pen of the editor of '"^ 
Cuj) Bearer." 

A GOD ALONE CAN COMPREHEND A GOD. 



How bleak and dreary th' Agnostic's faith ! 
No hope for a glimpse of heaven's gate, 
There's naught to sa}' but — "It may be so," 
Or the doubtful words — "We do not know." 

Only a glance at the sphere-gemmed space. 
Only a thought of the human race 
Endowed with the gift of a soul divine, 
Is proof of a God in matter and mind. 

The glimmering .stars — th' beautiful moon 
That illumines the mantle of midnight gloom. 
Tell the sweet story in eloquent light 
Of infinite wisdom, power and might. 

The fitful gleam of the lightning's flash — 
The awful peal of the thunder's crash 
Reveal the truth in soul-telling glance — 
That we and the world come not by chance. 

The wondrous height of the mountains tall, 
The rushing force of the waterfall 
Silently points and tunefully sings 
The presence of God in everything. 

The hand that painted the blue sea deep 
Daintily pencilled the rose leaf's cheek, 
And gathering hues from the sun-gilt west 
Scattered fair pearls on the ocean's breast. 

All marvels of sea, sky, space and earth 
Proclaim at once their God-sorung birth. 
Singing in voices of sweet accord, 
"We come from the bountiful hand of God." 

Humboldt. Mrs. Nelue V. Anderson. 



3S6 
NELLIE'S CRADLE SONG. 



v^ 



Rock-a-by babj- and take a sweet rest, 
Cozily lie in your warm dainty nest, 
Mama will sing you a lullaby song 
To fasten your sweet little eyelids down. 

I'll tell you what the dream-fairies'll do 

For babies so sweet and pretty as you. 

Thej'il cunningly weave you a daisy-starred quil?, 

Lined with the finest of spider-spun silk. 

Or give you wings made of dandelion down, 
A dew-sparkling butter cup then, for a crown. 
Your robc'll be made of a rich pansy dark, 
Adorned with the gold from its delicate heart. 

A tlirone you will have in a red moss rose 
That gently will swing in the breeze that blows ; 
The scepter will be a wee, cypress-twined wand. 
The sj'mbol of power in dream-fairy land. 

The fairies all dine on pollen and dew, 
And you as their king must dine on that, too. 
Remember your manners, my dear, when you sup 
For they'll bring you the dew in a white lily cup. 

Lullaby darling, now lock your blue eyes, 
Then when you wake, tliey'll be clear as the .skies, 
Let the dark lashes fall over your cheek. 
Lullaby dear, and you'll soon he asleep. 

Lullaby darling, now fall into sleep. 
Lovingly fairies, my babe you must keep ; 
Thro' the rose palace he'll joyously roam. 
But bring him back safe to his own cozy home. 



CHILDREN. 

la. Jasmjnk V.'\n Anderson, b. Marcli r6. 1879. Hum- 
boldt, Iowa, 
lb. R0U.0 R Anderson, b. Sept. 18, 1882, Humboldt. 
Tc. Lea J. Van Anderson, b. March 16, 1884, Humboldt. 

It will be noticed that Mrs. Van Anderson's oldest son 
writes his name simpl}^ as Anderson, unlike his mother, brother 
and sister. The reason is disclosed in a letter written by him in 
October. TQ07, containin^s: a short sketch of himself. He said: 

"T 00 under the name of my father, Anderson. Mother, 
sonic fifteen years a^s^o, inserted the "Van" from her maiden 
name (Van Metre), orig-inally as a writings name; but she has 
been in public so much that now she uses that name altog-ether 
— also my brother and sister. 



357 

*'l was born in Huinljoldl, Iowa, Sept. i8, 1882. My iaiii- 
aly niOA'ed t(^ Cliicaj^O' in 1886; and in r893 my brother and 
myself went U> live with my mother's annt and step-mother. 
Elizabeth Van Metre, in Albion, Iowa, 'i'here we went to 
school until 1897, when 1 went to live with my father in 
Xeligh, Nebr. There I went to hifj^h school, and one term at 
Gates College. In 1899 1 received my appointment to West 
i'oint. and entered in June, 1900. 

"1 graduated in June. T904, No. 62 in a class of 124. 
My graduation leave over, I reported at the i'residio of San 
Francisco, Cal., Sept. 15, 1904, for duty as a second Heuten- 
ant of Coast Artillery. I have been here ever since, having 
experienced the incident of the earthcpiake and fire of April, 
1906. It is idle to attempt to describe the San Francisco dis- 
aster. No one who was not here can adequately imagine it. 
But the spirit of San Francisco suffered no change; and while 
the city is still larg-ely housed in temporary buildings, and the 
locale and surroundings of the theatres and cafes are different, 
any one who had been here previous to the fire, would have 
no difficulty in recognizing the same town and people. 

"In May, 1907. I received my commission as First Lieu- 
tenant, to date from Feb. 18, 1907. * * *" 

Very truly yours, 

RoLLO F. Anderson. 



lEleasev Mbeelcck Snow. 



1795-1^49- 




^M^/:? 



Helen Snow 

( i8_'i-i8q7). married 

Caleb J. Ford in 1847. 

ELEAZER WHEELOCK Amanda P. Snow 

( 182.]- iSC)2 ). mnrriecl 



SNOW 
and 



Dorcas Hibbard 
(Married in 1821) 



Russ. A. vSnow in 1844. 



El) WIN' Pavson Sxovv 



(1825- 1 900). married 
Henrietta Cbase in 1850; 



married Lavina Reed in 



7860. 



ELEAZER WHEELOCK SNOW. 

1795-1849. 

(Fiftli child of lietijamin Snow.) 
Eleazer Wheelock Snow, the fifth and younj^cst child of 
Benjamin Snow and Elizaheth Payson, was burn at Cath, New 
F^ampshire, September 12, 1795. lie was named after Dr. 
Eleazer Wheelock, who was president of Dartmouth College 
at the time of Benjamin's attendance there, and he received 
his degree of Doctor of Medicine from the Medical Depart- 
ment of Dartmouth in 1818. 

The following is a copy of the certificate of qualifica- 
tion which was issued to him at the time : 

This certifies that Dr. E. W. Snow has attended to the 
Study of Medicine under my direction & has been faithful & 
successful in the pursuit of knowledge. Having passed 
through the regular term of study, he has received the de- 
gree of Doctor in Medicine in this institution. T can earnestly 
recommend him to the notice & confidence of all those with 
whom he may be concerned, as a young gentleman of excel- 
lent habits &: morals, & well qualified to commence the practice 
of the various departments of his profession. 

R. D. MussEY. 
D. College Aug 20, 1818. 

Dr. E. W. Snow located at Atkinson, Maine in 18 18. He 
was then the only practitioner in the tow-n, and he visited pro- 
fessionally many parts of the county. In the first year of his 
practice it w^as almost a wilderness, and he often made his 
trips to visit patients on foot or horseback by following spot- 
ted lines. 

He owned and cultivated a good farm, which was located 
east of his homestead. He was successively a Whig and an 
Abolitionist. In 1820 he was chosen a delegate to the con- 
vention held in Portland to arrange for the separation of 
Maine from Massachusetts. He served as Moderator, Select- 
man and Member of the School Board for many years. In 
1838 he was appointed the first Judge of Probate of Pisca- 
taquis County and held the of^ce for seven years. 

Dr. Eleazer W. Snow was an esteemed citizen of this 
town and State, affable, kind and generous, a man of refined 
taste and culture in every way. honest, upright and reliable. 
On the 1 8th of January, 1821, he married Dorcas Hibbard. 



364 

sister of Ruth Hibbard, who was married to his brother Russ. 
According to an old yellow memorandum of the family of 
Timothy Hibbard, found among Russ Snow's papers, and 
containing the names, birthdays and marriage dates of all his 
twelve children, Dorcas Hibbard was born on the 6th of June. 
1796. One of her descendants has stated that she was born 
Aug. 22, 1796, but the writer is constrained to believe, in view 
of the authenticity of the dates in the cases of the other Hib- 
bard children, and in view of the fact that the memorandum 
referred to is a Hibbard family heirloom (see page 250), 
that the correct date of her birth is June 6. 1796. She was 
born at Bath, N. H. 

Dorcas Hibl:)ard Snow died at Atkinson, Maine, July 16, 

1875- 

"Dr. E. W. Snow gained the title Hon., from being made 
Judge of the Probate Court. In disposition he was gentle, 
tender and careful of the feelings of others in conversation, 
while his brother Russ, on the contrary, would say what he 
thought, 'no matter where it lit.' 

"Dr. Snow's death was caused by dysentery, thought to 
have been contracted in the treatment and nursing of the wife 
of his brother-in-law. 'Biel' (Abiel Hibbard). Mrs. Hib- 
bard died — he could not save her — of the same disease." 

Dr. Snow's death occurred at Atkinson, Maine, October 
22, 1849. 



The following is a letter written by Dr. E. W. Snow to 
his wife's sister, Ruth, on the 9th of May, 1847, two years 
and some months before his death. This was the last of quite 
a series, written by him to his brothers and their families in 
Ohio, and .should be of interest to his Maine descendants of 
the present day, as it relates principally to his children and 
their parents. i\ number of other interesting letters from 
his pen will be found on pages yj to 93 inclusive of this book. 




To face page 364. 

DR. KLEAZER \VIli:i:i.Oc'K SXO\V 



365 

LKTTKk H\ 1)K. I".. W. SNOW. 

Atkinson. Me. 10 

May loth. 

MRS. RUTH SNOW. 

Brecksville. 

Ohio. 

.\tkinson. May 9. 1847. 
Dear Sisfi^r, 

I ha\e written to brother Russ .several times since he 
wrote to ine but receive no answer in return. I sup])Ose he is 
riffendcd witli me and very hkely has some reason. 

I am (iften inconsiderate in speaking-, and acting, but i 
have not intentionallv wronoed liim. Henrv. Russ & 1 are 
getting- to be old men; if 1 have wronged tliem let them speak, 
and I will endeavor to make reparation. Ruth we want to see 
you all, and if we cannot do that, we want to hear frcjni you. 

Cousin Louisa, now Mrs. Willett, is the only one that has 
written us for a number of years. She has written to us once 
or twice a year, for which we feel grateful to that kind girl. 
We heard from you not long since by the way of Airs. Bart- 
lett. 

1 will now^ give you some account of our family. Your 
youngest sister Dorcas is now fifty years old, is no more 
fleshy than when you saw her last, not a gray hair in her head, 
has a few crowsfeet about the eyes, but looks pretty fair, talks 
rather more than she used to, is always healthy, works hard, 
rises early, and wants to see you very much ; thinks you have 
money enough to come and see her. Helen is with us yet. 
Ijut expects to leave us in fall. She was married to Mr. Ford 
last January. He is gone most of the time building mills. He 
gets 10-6 or two dollars a day the time he chooses to work. 
He has lately bought him a very good house in Sebec Village, 
near his father's, where he intends to locate himself and fam- 
ily. He is a smart. caj)able. enterprising- young man about 
Helen's age. We should have been glad to have had Helen 
and her husband remain with us. but he thinks it will be for 
his interest to be where he can have water power, and ma- 
chiner3^ Amanda, you have learned, was married to Russ 
two years ago last April. They have one boy, have a house 
opposite Narstin Brown's. She runs up to see us often. Ed- 



366 

win is at Bawdoin Colleg-e attending- medical lectures. We 
expect him home in about a week. He has been studying med- 
icine a year. He left Waterville College after two years & 
commenced the study of medicine with me. 

Abiel & his family are well, they are getting along about 
as they used to when you were here. Timothy is a great saucy 
boy as would be expected. 

Tileston lives at Brownville, they are well; Charlotte is 
married. The Doctor is very grey headed, almost wdiite: 
looks much like a man that has seen a half a century, attends 
to his practice the same as usual, still keeps a farm, employs 
a hired man. The Doc't and his wife had their likenesses 
taken by Mr. Case, a very good painter. If you and Russ 
will just come over here you shall see them. We have had a 
very backward spring. The ice did not leave the Piscataquis 
until the first of May. Since that we have had it warm and 
pleasant. I have sowed nine or ten bus. of Peas & oats. Still 
there are snow banks to be seen in many places. 

We have just returned froin meeting, saw a female Mil- 
lerite. She crept on her hands and knees from the door to the 
pulpit, & after the sermon crept back to the door, made no 
further disturbance. There is a little knot of them in town, 
they keep Saturday for Sunday. Work on the Sabbath with- 
out molestation. Charles Barney & Col. Chase start for Au- 
gusta tomorrow. The first as representative, the other as sen- 
ator. I was run against the Col. Neither of us were elected 
by the people, & for a while my chance appeared the best, but 
finally the democrats obtained a majority of one or two in 
the house. Helen wishes to know where Charlotte lives, the 
town. etc. All join in love. 

Your brother, ' 

E. W. Snow. 
Cousin Y. Edward Payson was to see us last winter, made 
a good visit. Told some good stories, visited about with us 
some & has written to us since he returned. We have talked 
some of visiting our friends in Woodstock & Nova Scotia this 
summer. Have not heard from Bath or Canada lately. 

Write soon & let us hear the whole story, from Jacob to 
Joshua. What they all are doing. Where they are, when 
they all got there, & when they are going away again, how 
they all look and how they prosper. 



.>67 

CHILDREN OF DR. R. W. SNOW AND DORCAS 

lilBBARD. 

Dr. E. W. Snow had fewer children ihaii cither of his 
brothers, or his sister, and they all lived and died near his 
home in Maine. Their children, too, with the exception of 
some of his dau<:;-hter Amanda's, have remained in Maine, in or 
near Atkinson. Amanda Snow, the first of that name in the 
tam.ily, married her cousin, Riiss A. Snow, the son of Tile- 
ston, and the story of her life (like that of her c(;usin, Char- 
lotte Louise Snow, daug'hter of tlie first Russ, who married 
Alexander Snow, son of Henry), has been told in the pages 
devoted to the life of her husband. Russ A. Snow, and this sec- 
tiiini of the book, consequently, will he taken up principally 
with the families of Dr. E. \\ . Snow's two other children, 
Helen and Dr. Edwin Pavson Snow. 



L 

HELEN SinOW. 

1821-1897. 

(First child of Dr. E. W. Snow.) 

Helen Payson Snow, the first child of Dr. E. \\ . Snow 
and Dorcas Hibbard, was born at Atkinson, Ale., December 
27, 182 1. She was married January 28, 1847, to Caleb J. 
Ford, at Atkinson. He was born December 31. 1820, at 
Mansfield (then Ford Town), Somerset County. Maine, the 
son of Abner Ford. Mr. Ford was a millwrig-ht by occupa- 
tion and resided at various times in his life at Whitefield, 
Mayfield. Sebec and Atkinson, Maine. He died at Atkinson. 
Aug-. 25, 'i8g5, and was buried in the same place tw'o days 
later. Mrs. Ford died at Milo. Me.. .\ug. 27. 1897. and was 
buried Ansr. ^oth, in Atkinson. 

Dr. Louis C. Ford, Mrs. Ford's only son, writes of his 
mother as follows ; 

"My mother was a small, slight woman, but from my 
earliest recollection I have no remiCmbrance of her ever being 
seriously ill. None of her children resemble her in size, her 
one son and two daughters being large and fleshy like their 
father, .\lthough of a sunny disposition, she never saw the 



368 

funny side of any occurrence, being totally unlike her brother 
and sister, but 1 think resembling her father exactly. This 
seriousness is not transmitted to her daughters and son to any 
great extent — especially her son — though he is said to re- 
semble his grandfather Snow in build and complexion more 
than any others of the grandchildren do. 

"Mother commenced teaching at the age of 14 years, and 
taught successfully in several towns in the vicinity. 1 fre- 
quently meet pupils of hers in Brownville, Milo, Sebec and At- 
kinson, and they only have words of love and ])raise for her. 
.'Vn aged patient of mine, who was also one of her scholars, 
said to me the other day that M had inherited some of her 
talent, and he didn't see why I couldn't have inherited a little 
of her goodness: She never punished me in her life ; and in 
consequence I hope I have never done anything- she was very 
much ashamed of. 

"I append a newspaper clipping written by Wm. F. Mor- 
rill, Esq., of Portland, Me., Vvdiich shows something of the re- 
spect — almost reverence — in which she was held by her old 
pupils. 

MRS. HELEN P. FORD. 

"Physically Mrs. Ford was of a delicate and slender form, 
l)ut she lived to a good old age. Her unfailing cheerfulness 
and goodness was a source of never ending pleasure to all who 
knew her. 

To her large circle of friends her hjss is irreparable. From 
her youth up she was loved for her cheerful, sunny tempera- 
ment. Because of her the world around her always seemed 
brighter. Gentle in disposition, she was loved by all the pu- 
pils in the several schools she taught. She loved children and 
taught them to grow up to honorable manhood and woman- 
hood. She w^as a true Christian wife and mother. Her sweet, 
gentle nature will always be kindly remembered by all who 
were so fortunate as to know her. 

She was married fifty years ago the 28th of last Jan- 
uary to Caleb Ford, who passed way some two^ years since. 

As one of her scholars who owes much to her admoni- 
tions, I lay this feeble tribute upon her silent form, and feel 
that her spirit has passed to where it will "shine with fadeless 
lu.stre." 



3^9 

"Gone is tliat once fair teacher, 

The scholars come no more 
With shout and song to greet her, 

As once, at the swin.i;iii)jr door. 
They're all gray-haired men and women 

Who belonged to that childish band. 
With troops of their own about them, 

Ail scattered over the land." 



VV. !•" M 



LETTKKS liV HKLEN (SNOW) KOKD. 

Owen and Holland Snow, Kuss Smnv's two sons, were 
playmates of Helen Snow in their childhood, anrl took with 
them to Ohio many fond memories of Dr. E. W .'s children, 
and many letters passed back and i'-.nh between them in the 
later years. Holland especially was a faithful corres])ondent, 
and for many years ke])t tiie ties between Maine and Ohio se- 
cure. The f(jllowinp; are two of Helen's letters to liim. with 
an interval of about eig'hteen years between them. They are 
both interesting- and full of news that is now jileasant to read, 
for the reason that it bclcng-s to the fast-j^rowin.sf past. 



Atkinson. Apr 12. 1868. 
Cousin Holland. 

We were very agreeably surprised in receiving a letter 
from you hy yestertlay's mail and were really glad to hear 
from vou. f don't know when a letter has given me more 
pleasure, coming as it did from one of the old Maine cousins 
whom I ur'ed to prize so highly; and it was so' une.xpected too. 
We have all been \ery negligent about writing, but now you 
1ia\-e recommenced a correspondence. I do hope we shall not 
entirely give it uj) again. A good many years have passed 
since you left here for the then so-called Ear West. I fre- 
quently think of you and the visits T used to make down to 
Uncle Riiss'cs. How pleasant Aunt Ruth ahvays was, and 
Uncle pleasant and cheery; once in a while he would hector a 
little. How I should like to see him. Give my love to him 
please, and tell him if T cotdd get my arms around his neck, 
he would be held fast for a while. 

The girls and \ did have good times when we visited 
back and forth. I can see them now running down by the 
corner of the house to meet me when 1 got a1x)ut as far as the 



370 

<jld brook, but childhood's days have passed long ago, and 
with their departure they have brought a great many changes. 

Mother's health is as good as it has been for several 
years, though she cannot do hard work, she is busy about 
something most of the time, either sewing, knitting or doing 
a little light housework. If she isn't engaged with any of 
these, she is reading — thinks everybody should be usefully em- 
ployed. Our two older children are attending school. The 
little ones — Carrie Amanda and Eddie, one nearly twelve and 
the other about nine, stay at home with me. They work some, 
study a little and play a good deal. 

The Dr. and his family are well ; he is very busy all the 
time. The}'- have two daughters and one pretty little boy. 
He is nearly two years old. his name is Harry. Russ is get- 
ting along well with his family. There are only two' of sister 
Amanda's children at home now. Dorcas, the oldest daughter, 
is at Foxcroft attending school. Willey. the oldest boy living, 
is at work near home. 

Timothy Hibbard lives on the old place, they have seven 
children. 

Between our old place at the corner and the mills below 
your old home, there is not one of the same families living that 
there was when }^our family was here. Byley Lyford (Esq. 
Lyford's) youngest son (but he is a grandfather) lives on 
your old farm. Their garden is still where it used to be. The 
rooms in the front ]>art of the house are the same with the 
exception of the front entry. The large chimney is taken 
down, the entry runs back and they have front stairs. The 
chimneys only come into the chambers. 

Henry Stocker is still on the old place, five of their chil- 
dred are m.arried. One daughter has lost her husband. They 
have four unmarried and have lost two. Nehemiah Lee, Mr. 
Seth Lee's son, lives on Uncle Stocker's old farm. 

We have had a cold winter and good sleighing; last 
month was pleasant and warm. The ground was getting quite 
bare. April has been cold and windy thus far, and we have 
had sleighing again ; we like to have the ground covered when 
the weather is cold. It is so much better for grass. It was a 
poor fruit year with us last season. We had but very few ap- 
ples. The potato crop was small and the potatoes generally 
rather poor. Ours are good. I like a nice potatoe. They are 
fetching 1.15 in Bangor Market, about i.oo here, good ones. 



My Irlusbaiul \\x«rks at his trade most <jf tlie time, is at Se- 
bee Village now: came home Friday ami went back this moin- 
ang' as the sleighing was getting jioor. We slxailil all like 1 to 
have made you a call and joined in the candy pulling. 

Alother joins me in lose to yon. ycAir wife and children, 
to Cousin Owen and his family. 

T^Iother wishes me to send her lo\'e to your Father and 
we would like to have him write to us. Remember us to 
Cousins Alex and Charlotte and their children too. They will 
write to us I hope. 

No party is willing to own Johnson hut tl:e Democrat,-, 
sympathize with him for the sake of finding fault with the Re- 
publicans. Yours Helen. 



Atkinson. Jan. _'(>. 1886. 
Dear Consiii. 

Your letter was a pleasant surprise. I was glad to hear 
from you and of your family and the rest of the cousins. 
When Mrs. Knowlton was here she made me out a list of 
her father's family, and yours — all their names and ages; not 
having seen your families 1 sometimes forget which are yours 
and which Owen's. By having the record I shall keep their 
names and ages and to vv-hich family each belc^ngs. It is 
really quite a pleasure to me to have it. We had no Chri.st- 
mas gathering this year — made a few presents but didn't 
have the merry time. Our children are all married. Mary, 
the oldest, married a Hutcliinson. She lives a mile away. 
They have two little ones, a girl three years old and a boy 
live months. Our son is a physician and practices at Milo, 
seven miles from here; he has a boy seven, and two girls. We 
think considerable of our grandchildren. Carrie, our y(ning- 
est daughter, married Frank Freese. Russ' wife's son ; thev 
are with us. It is a gratification to have our children sit- 
uated where we can see them any time we please. Mr. Ford 
has been from home most of the time this winter, and through 
the season he has been away considerably. He is one of the 
County Commissioners and beside their usual business, they 
have been repairing or rebuilding our court house at Dover 
and he has had the overseeing of that considerably ; besides 



this, has done the \v(jod work for two or three machines for 
saw mills at tlie foundry. I am in hopes he will soon come 
to stop the rest of the winter. 

The Doctor's health has been rather better the past year; 
lie rides a great deal and has an extensive practice. Lavina's 
healtli is g-ood. Poor little Hett is no better, gradually fails, 
hut is still able to go up and down stairs and lays plans for 
the future; is usually cheerful and thoughtful of others; 
appreciates all diat is done for her. It is hard for them to 
see her fading away. Alice, their oldest child, lives at Sebec. 
Harry is at Monson attending school. They received the let- 
ters and play, but like the rest of us. the acknowledging of 
them was neglected at the time and so it passed on. Russ and 
family are in usual health ; his is better than it was a few 
years ago. Amanda's children are all away but Johnnie; two 
in Dakota, one in Mass. and Dorcie, who married a Lyford, 
is still on your old farm. Russ has his two younger boys 
with him, and Fanny Freese, his wife's daughter ; she is 
teaching our school. Tim still lives on the old place; five of 
his children are married and three are there at home. Yes, ten 
years have almost passed since you visited us and in the time 
a good many changes have taken place. Many of our towns- 
men have gone. Mr. Lee and Mr. Byley Lyford died last 
summer. You remember thern. 1 am glad for Cousin Char- 
lotte, that she is so comfortably situated and then having her 
daughter witli her, slie won't be quite so lonely. I should 
be very much pleased to see you all; should have enjoyed be- 
ing with you last fall, but we didn't feel as though it was best 
to take the journe)^ Now if you will come again, we will do 
our best to make you enjoy the visit. We would be glad to 
see any of the cousins. HelEn. 

We shall want to hear from you again before long — 
s(Jon. We have had but one big snow storm; that was the 
first of this month ; in a fev/ days we had a rain, and the ice 
left the rivers. Since then, there have been some very cold 
days. With much love to you all and wishing you many 
hapi>y New Years, T will close. 

Your cousin, 

H. P. FoRr>, 




To face jiagc 373. 



i)U. I, oris CALKr, kord. 



CHILDREN. 

(Ul iieleii T. Snow and Caleb J. Ford.) 

I. I. .MARY VVHEELOCK VOKD, h. Aui^. 22. 1850, .M- 

kinson, Me.; ni. Crosby O. Hutchinson. Alav 11. 

1882. 
1. 2. I.Ol'lS CALEB FORD, b. Autr. n. 1852, .Mkins.m: 

ni. Antoinette Perkins, June 28. i>^/j: ni. .Vettic 

E. Rog-ers, Feb. 26, 1885. 
1. 3. CAROLINE AMANDA FORD. b. June 21. 1856. 

Atkinson: m. Frank J. Freese. May n. 1882; 

m. Robert Henry Morrison. April 23, 1902. 



I. I. MARY VVHEELOCK (FORDj MuTCHlNSOX. 
{ Dan. Helen Snow. dau. Dr. E. W. Snow, son Benjamin. ) 
Mary Wheelock Ford, oldest cliild oi Helen Snow Ford, 
was born at Atkinson, Me., August 22, 1850, and was mar- 
ried May II. 1882, to Crosby Hutchinson. He was born at 
Atkinson and is the son of Sumner Hutchinscjn. Mr. Hutch- 
inson is a ])rosperous farmer and with his family has always 
resided in the place of his birth, where he has a fine home, 
and is a highly respected and esteemed citizen. 

CHILDREN. 

la. Fran'cks Hutchinson, b. Jan. 24. 1883, Atkinson. 

Me. ; m. Fred R. Snow, Aug. 26. IQ05. 
lb. Frkh FIuTchinson, b. Sept. 25. 1885. Atkinson. 



I. 2. LOUIS CALEB FORD. 
(Son Helen Snow, dau. Dr. E. W'. Snow, son Benjamin.) 

Louis Caleb Ford, only son and second child of Helen 
Snow and Caleb J. Ford, was born at Atkinson, Maine, Aug. 
II, 1852. He was graduated from the Medical Department 
of Bowdoin College, June 6, 1877, ^^^^ "" June 28, 1877, ni^^i'- 
ried Antoinette Perkins. She was born Feb. 14. 1852. Orne- 
ville, Me., the daughter of Joseph Perkins, and died at Milo. 
Me., July 27, 1884. Dr. Ford had three children by his first 
marriage. On Feb. 26, 1885. he married Nettie E. Rogers. 
She was born July jy. 1859. '^^ Brownville, Me., the daugh- 



574 

ter of \Vm. S. Rogers. There have l>een ihj children boro 
of this marriag'e. but Dr. and Mrs. Ford have adopted a boy 
child. Dr. Ford has resided at Sebec, Atkinson and Milo,, 
Maine. He is a big', genial and pleasant gentleman, and an 
excellent physician, fond of a good story, able to tell one well, 
and with a faculty for singing a funny song in a manner' 
calculated to provoke a laugh as big and hearty as his own. 
He has a pleasant home and a large practice at Milo. 

CHILDREN. 

(Of Dr. L. C. Ford and Antoinette Perkins.) 
2a. Caleb J. Ford, b. Oct. 3, 1878, Sebec, Maine; d. Dec. 3. 

1896, Milos Me. 
2b. Helen Mary Ford, b. Feb. 24, 1881. Milo; ni. Arthur 

Chester Dyer, Sept. 9, 1907. 
2c. Antoinette Ford, b. Jan. i, 1884, Milo. 

o — 

2(\. Abner Ford (adopted), b. Jan. 28. 1007. Milo. 

I. 3. CAROLINE AMANDA FORD. 
(Dau. Helen Snow, dau. Dr. E. W. Snow, son Benjamin.) 
Caroline Amanda Ford, youngest child of Helen Snow 
and Caleb J. Ford, was born June 21. 1856, at Atkinson, 
Maine, and was married to Frank J. Freese May 11, 1882. 
Mr. Freese was a farmer, the son of Samuel Freese and Han- 
nah W. Ramsdell, who after the death of her first husband, 
married Russ A. Snow (whose first wife had been his cousin, 
Amanda P. Snow.) Frank J. Freese and his wife had three 
children and after his death she was married again on April 
23. 1902. to Robert Henry Morrison, a farmer of Atkinson. 

children. 

(Of Caroline Amanda Ford and Frank J. Freese.) 

3a. Lizzie FreESE, b. Atkinson. Me. 

3b. Helen Freese. b. Atkinson. 

3c. Fannie June FreesE, b. Atkinson. 






II. 



AMANDA P. SNOW. 

'' 1 824- 1 862. 

1^ Second child o( Ur. Elcazer Whcelook Sikav.j 
Amanda P. Snow, second child of Dr. E. W. Snow and 
Dorcas Hibbard. was born at Atkinson, Maine, July 25, 
1824, and was married in 1844 to her cousin, Russ A. Snow, 
son of I'ileston Snow, who was born at Atkinson, October 
10. 1818. Amanda died in her home town iMarch 13, 1862. 
An account of Amanda's life will be found in that sec- 
tion of this book devoted to the life of her husband, i. c, on 
page 181, letters written by her on page 185 et seq., and refer- 
ence to her children on page 189. Further mention of them 
will be found on the respective pages indicated below. 



CHILDREN. 

CHARLES CARROLL, b. Nov. 5. 1845; d- ^^^^- 4- 

1864. See page 189. 
WILLIAM AUSTIN, b. Jan. 13. 1848. See pages 

189 and 190. 
DORCAS MARY, b. Jan. 15, 1850. See pages 190 

and 191. 
ANN ELIZABETH, b. Oct. 1, 1854. See page 191. 
JOHN MILTON, b. Alar. 12, 1857; d. May 18, 1894. 

See pages 191 and 192. 
EDWIN WHEELOCK. b. May 31, 1859. See page 

192. 
HARRY OZRO. b. Mar. 13. 1862: d. June 7. 1865. 

See page 189. 



LETTER BY AMANDA P. SNOW. 

(Written to her Cousin H. Holland Snow, of Brecksville. 
Ohio. January 13. 1855.) 

Atkinson, Jan. 13th, 1855. 
Well, Cousin Holland, you just begin to talk sense now. 
"Right smart" of cold weather with you, eh? I knew there 
must be a "power" of it over "thar" somewhere by the giists 





1. 




2. 




3- 




4- 




5- 




6. 




7- 



376 

we get from your way occasionally. We can very well en- 
dure the breezes from any other point of the compass, but 
when Eolus stirs up the elements from your way, we are all 
glad to creep within doors, to burrow, "an)'-how" to "get shut'" 
of it. 

We thank you for your good wishes. May it be a happy 
year to you all and may riches and blessings come down upon 
you in great big streams till you have seen as many happy 
new years as you can ask for, or even desire ; enough of them 
at any rate to compensate for the chills you have experienced 
this cold weather. Our little folks had a merry Christmas 
here in the shape of well-filled stockings — gifts from the mu- 
nificence of Santa Claus. I wish we could have been at Uncle 
Russes to see the sport go on. Does Charlotte do^ all her 
laughing inside as she used to do? We were pleased to hear 
about her nice children. I believe cousins usually have the 
smartest, don't you? Russ has just finished teaching school 
where you and I learned our A B C's. Is now keeping in our 
district. Perhaps you don't know w^hat our district is. It 
is composed of parts of the north and south schools, form- 
ing a centre district, with school-house on your old farm 
about 20 rods south of the buildings. We have the best 
school house and I believe it is called the first school in town 
in point of scholarship. Mother, Helen and two children are 
well. Cleb is at home getting up wood and doing his chores. 
Edwin and wife and two babies, Alice and Ette, are well and 
prospering. Henrietta frequently speaks of going to Ohio' to 
see the cousins. Think some of us will take a start before 
many years. Tell Aunt Ruth we shall take mother along 
with us. She often speaks of her. Uncle Tileston talks of 
going to Minnesota in the spring, where Milton and George 
are. Aunt Nancy looks just as she used to, is quite fleshy. 
Charlotte has four children, Eliza three. Albion's folks have 
one. Flavell's two, boy and girl. Cousin Tim, wife and 
three babies are well. He says he is going to California in 
the spring, he is well off. It is strange people can't let well 
enough alone. Tell Uncle Russ and Aunt Ruth to come and 
see us next summer, they have nothing else to do. Please 
write often. Tell Mary to write, Owen, Orpha and all the 
rest of them. Excuse the writing, for I have a very sore 
finger — poor excuse better than none, perhaps you will say. 
Good bye. Amanda. 




o 

o 
w 
w 

< 




o 

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o 

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>■ 

Oh 



05 



O 



377 
III. 

DR. EDWIN PAYSON SNOW. 

1825-1900. 
(Tliinl child and mily son of Dr. E. W. Snow.) 
The following appreciative sketch of Dr. E. J'. Snow 

was written by his second wife, La\ina Reed SncMv. not long 

after his death. 

"Dr. Edwin Payson Snow, only son (jf i)r. Elea/.er 
Wheelock Snow and Dorcas Hibbard, was born at .\tkin- 
son. Maine, September 25, 1825. Me preparer! for his col- 
legiate course at Charleston and Fo.xcroft Academies and 
attended Vvaterville College two years. His medical studies 
were begun under the direction of his father and completed 
at the Bowdoin Meilical College at Brunswick, Maine. Alter 
graduating in 1849 he located temporarily at Brown ville. Al- 
most immediately thereafter he was called ui)on to take the 
place made vacant by the sudden death (;f his father. After 
that he followed his profession assiduously. From the tinie 
of entering into practice in 1849 ""til his partial retirement, 
and death in tqoo, he covered his fathers old circuit, with 
added territory. 

"He served as United States Pension Examiner under 
both administrations of Cleveland and at the earnest solicita- 
tions of the old soldiers of his locality he was reappointed by 
President McKinley and .served until within two months of 
his death on October 9, 1900. 

"Dr. Snow- was made the recipient of a handsome gold- 
headed cane by his numerous friends in 1889. it being his 40th 
anniversary as a physician, inscribed '1849-1889, Oiir Phy- 
sician.' The presentation was made by the late J. H. Rams- 
dell, chosen by a large assem1)ly of friends who gathered at 
the Doctor's home for the happy, long to be remembered oc- 
casion." 

Dr. Edwin P. Snow was twice married. His first wife 
was Henrietta Chase, of Sebec, Maine. They were married 
March 14, 1850. She was born March 16, 1829, at Sebec. 
the daughter of Joseph Chase. She died at Atkinson, June 
25, 1858, and was. buried there two days later. Dr. Snow 
was married a second time on March 6. i860, to Lavina L. 



3/8 

Reed. She was born May 14, 1836, at Charleston, Maine, 
the daughter of William Reed, and died at Milo, Feb. 7, 
1902. She was buried in Atkinson. Dr. Snow died on the 
night of the gth-ioth of October, T900. in the town of his birth, 
and in the house where he had always lived. The following 
is copy of a newspaper clipping printed at the time of his 
death : 

Atkinson, Oct. 1900: — Dr. Edwin Paysoii Snow passed 
peacefully from earth Friday evening, the 9th inst., aged 75 
years. Although he had been gradually failing for several 
years, his last illness was short, he having been confined to his 
room only a few days. Funeral services were held at the 
home Monday at 10 A. M., Rev. H. L. Canfield, of the Dover 
Universalist church officiating. Undertaker Martin, of Milo, 
had charge of the arrangements. A very large company of 
people from this and neighboring towns was present to pay 
their last tribute of respect to him, who for many years has 
been our beloved physician. The deceased was born Sept. 
25, 1825, in the house where he has always lived and from 
which the body was borne tO' its last resting place. He gradu- 
ated from Bowdoin Medical College in the class of '49 and 
at once began practice in Brownville, but at the death of his 
father, Dr. E. W. Snow, six months later, he took his place 
here where he has been in practice for more than fifty years 
and where for many years he has been one of the best known 
and most successful physicians in the county. In March, 
1850, he was married to Miss Henrietta Chase, daughter of 
Joseph Chase, of Sebec. Two daughters were born tO' them, 
Alice, wife of T. H. Wyman, of Sebec, and Hettie, who died 
14 years ago. In their early childhood death removed the 
wife and mother, and on March 6. i860, he was united in 
marriage to Miss Lavina Reed, of Charleston. Three sons 
blessed this union, two of them dying in childhood, the re- 
maining one being Dr. Harry A. Snow, of Milo. The de- 
ceased was genial and pleasant always, benevolent and kind, 
by these qualities winning to himself a host of friends who 
will always cherish his memory and whose sympathy is ex- 
tended to the faithful, devoted wife, son and daughter in the 
loss of a kind, afifectionate husband and father. 




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CIlllJ^RI'.X. 
^Oi Dr. Ivlwin l'. Snow and Henrietta Chase.) 

HI. 1. ALICE .MARY SNOW, b. May 7. 1852, Atkinson, 
Me.; m. Thecxlore H. VVyman, May ^1. 1877. 

111. 2. ilENklETTA 1<:UZABETH SNOW, h.'oct. 15, 
J853. Atkinson; d. May 27, t88(). 

III. i. ALICE MARY (SNOW) WYMAN. 
(Dau. Dr. E. P. Snow, son Dr. E. W. Snow, son Benjamin.) 

Alice Mary Snow, first child of Dr. Edwin P. Snow, was 
born at Atkinson, Me., May 7. 1852, and was married May 
31, 1877, to Theodore H. Wyman. He was born April 1 :;, 
1852, at Sebec, Ale., the son of Theodore W^yman, Mr. Wy- 
man is a successful merchant and business man. and is also 
postmaster at Sebec. He has a very comfortable and attrac- 
tive home and a bright, happy family that fills it with life and 
cheerfulness. That which impresses the stranger who is 
making his first visit in the home (jf this family, is the warmth 
and sincerity of his reception therein, the -genial, kindly 
friendliness of the father, the earnest, gracious, womanly 
gentleness of the mother and the quick, eager interest of their 
children. These are not exaggerated adjectives and descri}>- 
tions nor are they out of place here, for such attributes are 
bound to exist in a home wdiose atmosphere is in every way 
healthy and wholesome and refined. One can not hear the 
Wymans discuss their summer vacations, as they spend them on 
the wooded shores of Sebec Lake, and see the i>ictures of 
their cottage, and power boats and canoes, without knowing 
that they would be happy, and he is sure, without hearing or 
seeing, that the disposition which finds happiness in the life 
in the open, is but the reflection of the best and cleanest and 
sturdiest character. 

Mrs. Alice Snow WVman is the kind of woman one likes 
to know, modest, well-read and capable, a most excellent house- 
keeper, interested in the home life and the education of her 
children, and sharing with her husband in all the afifairs of 
•their vicinity. The writers of these words are cjuite aware 
of her innate modesty and dislike for publicitv, but feel sure 
that she will permit of tliis slight and well-deserved compli- 
ment of herself, in view of their complete sincerity. 



3So 

Mr. and Mrs. Wyman have three interesting- children.. 
The oldest, Eugene Barry Wyman, Fitted for college at the 
Higgins Classical Institute, Charleston, Maine, and was grad- 
uated from the Harvard Dental School, Cambridge, Mas.s... 
a Doctor of Dental Medicine, ciiiii laiide in 1904. He was 
associated with Dr. Spinney two years at Brookline, Mass., 
and is now Demonstrator of Operative Dentistry in the Har- 
vard Dental School, with offices at 51 Brattle Street. 

Edwin T. and Caroline H., the other two children, also 
fitted for college at the Higgins Classical Institute. Edwin is 
of an inventive and scientific turn of mind, clever in the use 
of tools, and is at present, the fall of 1907, taking up the 
study of medicine. Caroline H. is a happy, quick-minded 
girl, with sunny, womanly manners, and an eager, enthusiastic 
temperament that promises much. 

CHILDREN. 

I a. EuGKNK Barry Wyman, b. April 4, 1882, Sebec, Maine, 
lb. Edwin Theodore Wyman, b. Oct. 9. 1886, Sebec. 
ic. Caroline Henrietta Wyman, b. Oct. 9, 1886, Sebec 



HI. 2. HENRIETTA ELIZABETH SNOW. 

(Dau. Dr. E. P. Snow, son Dr. E. \N . Snow, son Benjamin.) 

Henrietta Elizabeth Snow, Dr. Edwin P. Snow's second 
child, was born October 15, 1853, at Atkinson, Me., and 
spent all of her short life there. She n.ever married. Her 
death occurred May 27, 1886. Some account of her sweet, 
gentle disposition will be found in one of the letters by her 
aunt, Helen Snow Ford, on page 372 of this book. 



CHILDREN. 

(Of Dr. Edwin P. Snow and Lavina L. Reed.) 

III. 3. EDWIN A. SNOW', b. Jan. 27, 1863, Atkinson. 
Me., d. Oct. 25, 1864, Atkinson. 

III. 4. HARRY Austin' SNOW, b. June 18, 1866, At- 
kinson; m. Mary A. Davis. Nov. 29, 1893. 

III. 5. GEORGE STEVENS SNOW, b. May 26, 1873, 
Atkinson: d. Nov. 22. 1873, Atkinson. 





To face page 380. 

'I'll I'.ODORI-: II. WN'MAX. 
Ill Sl'.AXJ) OF ALICK MARY SNOW, 



3-8t 

III. 4- im. IIAKRV .\UST1N SNOW. 

(Son Dr. E. I'. Snow, son Dr. K. \^^ Snow, son Bcnjaniin.) 

The subject of this sketch, Marry Austin Snow, is a prac- 
•iicing physician in Alilo. Piscata(|uis County. Maine. He 
was born in Atkinson. Maine. June i8tli, i."r;f), being- the son 
of Dr. Edwin P. Snow and Uivina L. (Reed) Snow, and is 
the third Snow, in Hne of descent, U) practice medicine in this 
locaHty. He acquired his early e(hication in the schools of 
Atkinson, later studying at th.e Eastern Maine Conference 
Seminary at Bucksport, and at Monson Academy, Monson, 
Maine. His father had hoped that his son would turn his at- 
tention to some other line than medicine, as the life of a coim- 
try physician is anything l)ut pleasant; 1ml when it became 
apparent that his son was determined to enter the medical 
))rofession he assisted him in every way possi])le. The young 
aspirant matriculated at the Maine Aledical School, where he 
remained one year; then he attended Bellevue Hospital for 
two years, and was graduated from Baltimore Medical Col- 
lege in 1893. While in Baltimore he took a special course in 
Diseases of W^omen under Professor Ashby. a noted special- 
ist, with the intention (if making a specialty of this branch of 
the medical profession. After receiving his diploma. Dr. Snow 
located in Milo, in order tO' be near his father. Dr. Edwin P. 
Snow, who. on account of poor health was gradually giving 
up his practice. Though w ell qualified to enter a broader field 
of usefulness, he considered it his duty to remain near his 
parents in their declining years. Since locating in Milo he 
has met with gratifying success and his prompt attention to 
his business has luade him extremely popular in this section 
of the county, and his professionnl .skill is unquestioned. Like 
his ancestors, the doctor owns a smnll farm, whicli he culti- 
vates as a pastime. Dr. Snow is a member of Tvineo Lodge 
I. O. O. F.. Washington Encampment No. 56: Banner Tent 
No. 24; Knights of the Maccabees. Court Oriental, Indepenrl- 
ent Order of Foresters and is a Granger, and is a member of 
the Maine Medical Association. 

He has always been closely identified with the business 
interests of the town, serving on the school board for ten 
years, is President of the Milo Electric Light and Power 
Company, Trustee of the Kineo Trust and Banking Com- 
pany and is a Director of the Milo Realty Company. 



3Sz 

fri politics he is a Democrat and is the present PiscataqinS' 
County member of the State Committee. Mis relig'ious prefer- 
ence is the UniversaHst faith. He married Mary A. Davis,, 
a daughter of Josiah F. Davis, of Milo. 

Though handcapped early in his career with rheumatism, 
few country physicians have as rapidly climbed the ladder of 
success as has I^r. Harry A. Snow. 

Dr. Harry A. Snow is a man of a genial temper, is a 
friendly and entertaining host, and although exceedingly 
busy in the practice of his profession at all times, finds op- 
portunity to get as much as possible out of life. He is a keen 
hunter and fisherman and has a cottage on one of the wooded 
lakes north of his pleasant home at Milo, where he spends 
many happy days in search of needed rest. His indefatigable 
devotion to his own profession and his tireless energy in the 
transaction of other outside business, makes this necessary 
and doubly enjoyable. 

His wife, an interesting and capable woman of cordial 
and lively manners, enters fully into the spirit of his vaca- 
tions, and in every other duty of life, as well as in this, is a 
constant and faithful helpmeet and companion. Dr. and Mrs. 
vSnow have a new and comfortable house in A4ilo, wdiere they 
make everyone welcome and at home and their unusual popu- 
larity makes it an attractive spot tO' their friends. They have 
no children. 



Lavina Reed Snow, Dr. Edwin P. Snow's second wife, 
corresponded regularly with the Ohioi Snows during the last 
years of her life, and the arrival of her letters was a welcome 
event, for she was a breezy correspondent and always wrote 
all the news. This volume is concluded by two of her letters, 
characteristic by reason of containing all the news, and in- 
teresting and valuable because they are typical of the friend- 
liness that ought to prevail in all families, and which, in its 
turn, gives rise to the correspondence that alone can keep a 
family united and intact. The writer has emphasized this 
point repeatedly throughout this volume, perhaps too much, 
but it is a species of family philosophy with him and he 
trusts that it will be pardoned and indulgently received. 




To face page 382. 



DK. JIARRV AL'STIX SXOW 



383 

LETTERwS BY LAVINA REFJ) SNOW. 

Atkinson. Sunday, Nov. 9. 1890. 
Dear Coiisijis Holland and Mary. 

1 have been trying to write to you ever since we received 
your pictures and tell you how pleased we were to get them. 
It is next to seeing you in person. How I wish you were 
with us this very minute. We are seated l>ef(jre the open fire. 
The Dr. is reading and Ed Hibbard is gazing into the fire. 
1 am writing and we three inchide our family at the present 
time. Harry has been gone to New York a month and we 
were alone three weeks, to do all the chores, take care of three 
cows, two horses, two big hogs, two pigs and three calves. 
We also have four colts that we housed nights and one mare 
with a colt, so you can imagine that we were busy, but now 
Ed has come to stay all Winter, we are relieved of some care. 
1 did the hardest of the work and I really think what exerci.sc 
the Dr. had, did him good. His health is poor at the best but 
he can eat more than he did. and has more .strength. It is 
very healthy with us and he has not had to ride as much as 
common. 1 have not told you who Ed. Hibbard is, but he is 
Tim's oldest boy who lived with us several years when young. 
He is now 36. lias been sickly, is only able to do light work, 
will be a careful hand with the colts. T hope some time to re- 
duce our stock and keep one horse and one cow. so we can 
be alone when Harry is away. 

I don't know whether you have heard from Russ or 
Helen lately. For fear you have not. T will tell you of them. 
Russes two youngest boys are married and live at home. Both 
have babies not a year old and Russ thinks the world of the 
children. He is real well, works every day and they are get- 
ting along well. He took dinner with us last week and said 
he sliould go west again soon, he thought, for a visit. Fan- 
nie is in Cal. teaching school. Mrs. Ford's daughter Carrie 
has a fine little red headed girl a year old that Caleb and 
Helen think cannot be beat. They are all well. 

Cousin Frank owes me a letter. WMiy don't she write ^ 
T presume she works as hard as ever, and has had summer 
boarrlers as usual. Nov/ v/c want tn hear from you e\-ery one. 
Owen's family included. 

W^Q think and speak of you often, and live over our 



384 

pleasant visit at your happy homes. Now I wish we lived 
nearer each other. I do think it is too bad for families to be 
so far apart when life is so short. 1 do not think we shall ever 
see you again, unless you can come here, which I hope you 
can surely. I want to hear from Jessie and her family, 
Amanda and I\Iay, not forgetting- Emma Bartlett and her 
daughters ; i.)r. Knowlton's family, Minnie, also- all your 
boys, please mention them every one when you write. I 
shall look forward for a letter from you and you may hurry 
it up just as I have this. I don't care how quickly you write. 
T am good at reading. The Dr. will be just as glad to^ hear 
from you as 1. but he always leaves the answering part to me. 

Mr. Hibbard's family is well. I saw them a few weeks 
age. We get out very little, only as the Dr. visits the sick, 
but are always glad to see our friends at our own home. 
Alice and her children are well. She comes home often and 
has three nice children. The twins are four years old now, 
very healthy children: "Thede" (her husband) is Representa- 
tive to the Legislature the coming winter, and Alice will 
spend a few w-eeks with him. if they are all well. Now hoping 
to hear from you soon, we remain as ever. 

Excuse poor writing. Yours, with love to all. 

Lavina L. Snow. 

P. S. Many thanks from us both for the nice pictures. 
We shall prize them very highly. Tell us of Jennie, Aunt 
Charlotte, etc. 

The Dr. wants me to ask you what you think of the elec- 
tions. 

***** 

Atkinson, Sept. 25, 1898. 
Dear May: 

We were very glad to get your letter and hear of your 
safe arrival home. 

We all enjoyed your visit much and hope you will come 
again. Am so glad Aunt Mary is better. I wish she might 
have stayed with us all winter. The Dr. is about the same as 
when you left. He has a patient four miles away. I go and 
drive for him. An old lady 82 years old had a partial shock, 
visited her four days in succession, but does not go as often 
now. T carried him there this morning. We met Uncle 
Russ on his way to church ; he and the Dr. are still talking 
about going to Brownville some day. 



3«5 

Mrs. Hutchinson is still living; hut very t'cehlc. Dr. 
Ford took dinner with ns Tuesday .'nid said she failed every 
day. He did not think there was a chance for her recovery. 

We have had friends from Jersey City visiting;- us since 
you went home and two weeks ai^o today Alice and her chil- 
dren. Dr. Harry and wife, with tlic friends, dined with us. 
They spent the most of tlicir time with i iarry. Xow he is ex- 
pecting friends from New \'ork to visit him and gt> hunting 
some. 1 looked for him here today, hut he did not come. I 
have been busy as usual, have visited two schools and been 
to Dover with the Dr., beside visiting the i)atients. and I am 
very tired tonight. Guess I have taken a little cold. There 
was a real freeze last night but my hollyhocks still stand up- 
right and quite a (]uantity of blossoms yet. Farmers are 
ready for frost, for nearly all the crops are gathered in. My 
butter comes beautifully now. but I have to eat cream and 
sweet ap]>les alone. I wish cz'cry time Aunt JMary had some. 
1 do not make rolls for Ijreakfast but shall soon, for v/e are 
to have a hired man awhile. 1 shall coititt and see if he can 
lieat you. I liave just cut a new cheese. The Dr. is snoring 
I 'U the lounge. I must be getting ready for bed. 

Rosa and her baby are doing well I hear. I hope to call 
and see tiiem soon. Dorcie and family are well. Tell your 
Ma ] shall not worry about the wash cloth as long as I have 
tv. (J new ones far better than the one you took home. 

Tell Mr. Wilcox and Jessie to come right along, we 
shall all be glad to welcome them. Has .Minnie gone to 
New \'ork? \\'rite us about ei-ery one when you can, I.'ncle 
Owen and .Aunl Frank, &c.. &c. 

Emma Barllett has her. health improved ? You did not 
stay half long enough to make it real. It .seems like a dre.am 
to us. 

I must close as it is tiiue we were in bed for you know. 
T get uj) early. With lots of love to you all, I remain yours 
as ever. Aunt Lavina. 

P S. Carrie's little girls are well and lots of company 
for us. Frank seems better, does not cough as much. The 
Dr. joins in love. 



THK RND. 



Note: The Cover Desigfn of this Book is by 
Frank N. Wilcox, Jr., son of Jessie Snow Wilcox. 



Jfor jfamilv a^^ition9. 



INDEX. 



C-* .* .< 



The Family of Ben}amin Snow. 



c5* «^ t^ 



8 
8 
12 
8 
8 



12 
12 
12 
12 
12 
12 
12 



12 
13 
12 



13 
13 
14 
13 
13 
13 
13 
13 



21 
14 
14 
14 
14 
14 



363 

10 T 

333 
239 
171 



Xamc Page h'ctmc 

FIRST GENERATION. 

RICHARD, founder of family... 

SECOND GENERATION. 

Daniel 

James 

John 8, 

Samuel 

Zechariah : 

THIRD GENERATION. 

Ebenezer 

Irlannah 

John 

Mary 

Nathaniel 

Timothy 

Zerubbabel 

FOURTH GENERATION. 

Elizabeth 

Joseph 12, 

Mary 

FIFTH GENERATION. 

Bridget 

Elizabeth 

Henry 13, 

John 

Jo.eeph 

Mary 

Rebecca 

Sarah 

SIXTH GENERATION. 

BENJAMIN 14, 

Henry 

Miriam 

N'chemiah 

Rebecca 

Robert 

SEVENTH GENERATION. 
Benjamin's Children. 

Eleazer Wheelock 

Henry 

Louisa 

Russ 

Tileston 



Page 

EIGHTH GENERATION. 

Benjamin's Grandchildren. 

(Indicated by black capital type in 

text.) 

Albion K. P 201 

.\lexander Jameson 121 

.\manda Payson 375 

.A.ngelinc Dorothy 153 

Augusta 155 

Benjamin Flavel 210 

Charles 103 

Charles Carroll 103 

Charlotte Louise 127, 274 

Charlotte M 197 

Edward Payson 14.^ 

Edwin Paj'son 377 

Eleazer Wheelock (Stockcr) 335 

Elizabeth Payson 179 

Elizabeth (Stocker) 347 

George Ill 

George J 232 

Harriet Crosby 151 

Harriet (Stockcr) 350 

Helen 367 

Henry Holland 303 

lane Elizabeth 276 

"John Milton 230 

Loui.-^a .\ 112 

Orplia Hibbard 323 

Owen Payson 278 

Russ A 181 

Ruth (Stocker) 353 

Selina Leonard 154 

Wheelock 103 

William Sullivan 159 

Victory 104 

NINTH GENERATION. 

Benjamin's Great-grandchildren. 

(Indicated by capital type in text.) 

Agnes Marian 225, 229 

Albert Flavel 231 

.Mice Mary 379 

.\manda Jane 303, 315 

\manda P 193 

Amanda Payson 225, 228 

'\nne Elizabeth 189, 191, 375 

Charles 2^2 



THE FAMILY OF BENJAMIN SNOW. 



Name Page 

Charlie Ashman 288 

Charles Carroll 189, 375 

Charles Carroll 193 

Charles Tileston 225, 226 

Charles Corwin 303, 319 

Charlotte Elizabeth 231 

Cora Ada 202 

Corwin Russ 134, 275 

Dorcas Mary 189, 190, 375 

Edwin A 380 

Edwin Fay 288 

Edwin Tileston 231 

Edwin Wheelock 189, 192, 375 

Emma Rovena 288 

Fanny Electa 288, 291 

Frank Knowlton 288, 295 

Frederick Hibbard 134, 143,275 

Fred Payson 231 

George Stevens 380 

Harry Austin 380,381 

Harry M 231 

Harry Ozro 189, 375 

Harry Ward 303, 317 

Henrietta Elizabeth 379, 380 

Henry H 22S 

Herbert Payson 193, 194 

Ida Geneva 202, 203 

Ida May 303 

Jessie Fremont 303, 305 

John Milton 189, 191, 375 

John P 232 

Karl Frank 288, 295 

Kate Flavilla 225, 226 

Kate Frances 134, 139, 275 

Lottie Maude Rosebelle 134,275 

Louis Vimont 134, 275 

Louise Willett 134, 137,275 

Minabe! 288, 2Q7 

Minnie 225 

Ned Pavson 288. 298 

Nellie Elizabeth 225, 227 

Nina Belle 160 

Percv W 232 

Reuben N 232 

Thirza F 2^2 

William Austin 189, 375 

TENTH GENERATION. 
Benjamin's Great-great-grandchildren. 
(Indicated by small capital type in 

text.) 
Alice 190 



Name Page 

Annie A 190 

Aubrey H 193 

Benjamin F 225 

Charles Hibbard 319 

Charlotte Louise 319 

Clifford 226 

Corwin 298 

Corwin Russ 135, 136 

Dorcas Lavina 319 

Edith 298 

Edwin Payson 194 

Emily B 225 

Eugene H 190 

Fannie Freese 194 

Fayette 227 

Frank F 190 

Fred Russ 190 

Hazel 227 

Helen Amanda 135 

Helen Gould 192 

Henrietta 190 

Irwin 226 

Ivy 227 

Teaunette May 319 

Jessie May 192 

John Milton 319 

Karl Campbell 194 

Lina 225 

Lisle McDougal 194 

Lotta Belle . 192 

Louis Frederick 143 

Lucille Jeannette 299 

Maude E 193 

Mildred Fay 297 

Orpha Purl 297 

Pavson Alexander 135 

Rolland 227 

Russ A 193 

Sarah 190 

Vera 226 

Winnie 299 

ELEVENTH GENERATION. 

Benjamin's Great-great-great-grand- 
children. 

Karl Henry 135 

Orpha Amanda 135 

Vernon Stanton 226 



i 



INDEX. 



BENJAMIN SNOWS FAIvlILY IN FEMALE LINES. 



Name 

ARBO. 

Carrie Emma. 
Carroll Snow. 
Clayton K. . . . 
Cora (Snow) . 

Ervvin A 

Gertrude 

HoUis Erwin . 
Marguerite . . 
Paul Payson . . 



Page 

. 203 
. 202 
. 202 
. 20^ 
. 202 
. 202 
. 203 
. 202 
. 202 



Name 

CROSBY. 

Barbara 
Beatrice 
Cliarlcs 
Idolene 



P,igr 



BARNES. 
Alexander James. 
Kate (Snow) ... . 

BARTLETT. 

Amy Louise 

Charles Owen . . . 
Emma (Snow) . . . 

Jennie Snow 

Minnie Frances. . 



RLAKE. 
Anne 

CARTER. 

Amanda (Snow) 

Bertha May 

Henry Holland 

T^eyton Elwin 

Marion Sophronia 

CASTLE. 

Clarence Edwin 

Joseph Henry 

Lina (Snow) 

CATER. 

Abbie L 

Charles M 

Charles W 

Edna Mildred 

Edward W 

Frank 

Kate (Snow) 225. 

Lottie Wilhclmina 

Martha L 

Nellie R 

CHAFFEE. 

Frank Russell 

Fred Sheridan 

Louise (Snow) 

COLLINS. 

Dora 

Fred 

Nettie (Van Metre) 

CREED. 

Isabel (Hooper) 

Stanwood Hooper 



140 
139 



290 
290 
288 
290 
290 

34; 

315 
317j 
317I 
3171 

3171 

225 
22=; I 

225 j 

226 
226 1 
2261 
226! 
2261 

226 i 
226, 
226: 
2261 
226' 

I 

I 

1381 
138; 
137; 

3'?2 

352! 

352 

20s 
208 



Applcton. . 209 

Blanchard 209 

Hooper 20'9 

(Hooper) 20:J 



DAVIS. 

.\roline (Hamlet) 199 

Dc Witt C 199 

F. Gertrude 199 

Fred Lcroy 199 

Helen 1 199 

Mildred 1 199 

Thad E 199 

W. Maud 199 

DELVIN. 

Dorothy 225 

Emily (Snow) 225 

Thomas Emmett 225 

DOUGHERTY. 

Charles P 

Earl 

Flora (Hamlet) 

James B 

Lawrence H 

Ned J 

Philip W 

FORBES. 
Elton Bartlett 



198 
198 
198 
198 
198 
198 
198 



Janet 

Jennie (Bartlett) 

FORD. 

Abncr 

Antoinette 

Caleb J 

Caroline Amanda 373. 

Helen Mary 

Helen (Snow) 

Louis Caleb 

Mary Whcclock 

FOSTER. 

Elizabeth 34. 



290 
290 
290 



374 
374 
374 
374 
374 
3'S7 
373 
373 



3: 



FREESE. 

Caroline Amanda (Ford) 374 

Fannie June 374 

Fannv F 194 

Frank J 1*^4 

Hannah W ^^^ 

Helen 374 

Lizzie 374 

Samuel W 194 

GARRISH. 

Baby 198 

Buhia 198 



THE FAMILY OF BENJAMIN SNOW. 



Name Page 

GRAY. 

Arthur Payson 231 

Charlotte (Snow) 231 

HAMILTON. 

Belle (Snow) 160 

Harriette Carlota 160 

Wallace Snow 160 

HAMLET. 

Alvia C 198 

Anne Elizabeth 179 

Aroline F 197, 199 

Clarence A 179 

Dana F 180 

Edith Marie 198 

Elizabeth Payson (Snow) 179 

Elmer A 180 

Flavilla 197 

Flora M 197 

Fred W 198 

Guy 180 

Harry L 198 

Helen Amanda 179 

Helen Amanda 197, 200 

John E 198 

Leroy 198 

Lewis B 197, 198 

Milton Tileston 180 

Minnie E 198 

Myrtle H 198 

Nellie 180 

Theodore Lewis 198 

Thyron M 198 

William D 197, 199 

Wm. McKinley 198 

W. Richard 180 

HEATH. 

Bernard C 200 

Bernice J 200 

Erma J 200 

Helen Amnnda (Hamlet) 2^0 

Raymond E 200 

HIBBARD. 

Aaron 250 

Abiel 250 

David S 2^0 

Dorcas 2'^0 

Eunice C 250 

John C 250 

Lois 250 

Polly 250 

Ruth 248, 2^0 

Sarah 250 

Seth 250 

Timothy 2J« 

Timothy 250 

HOLLAND. 

Relief 34, 35 



Name Page 

HOOPER. 

Chas. Appleton 203 

Ida G. (Snow) 203 

Idolene Snow 208 

Isabel Martha 208 

HUTCHINSON. 

Frances 373 

Fred 373 

Mary Wheelock (Ford) 373 

KIRK. 

Clara Louise 341 

Eva Loraine 341 

George Stocker 341 

Tohn Lehr 341 

Mary L. (Stocker) 341 

KNAPP. 

Charles F 227 

Clinton L 227 

Lawrence McAllister 227 

Lester H 227 

Nellie (Snow) 227 

Percival Roberts 227 

Rachel 227 

Ruth Maria 227 

Vernon W 227 

KNOWLTON. 

Augusta CSnow) 155 

Donald Snow 295 

Douglas 2Q5 

I'lnny (Snow) 291 

Margaret 295 

LEEDS. 

Joseph 34 

Nathaniel 34 

Prudence 34, 35 

LISTER. 

Alice Fay 291 

Fanny Snow 291 

James McKenzie 291 

Minnie (Bartlett) 2'^0 

Walter Bartlett 291 

LONG. 

Charles W 202 

Gertrude (Arbo) 202 

LYFORD. 

Byley Frances 191 

Dorcas (Snow) 190 

Dorothy Ginn 191 

Grace Amanda 191 

Harriet May 191 

Katie Belle 191 

^Mr"ia J'Miice 191 

Walter Freeman 190 



(, 



INDEX. 



Nanw Page 

MINER. 

Amanda Nadine 135 

Corwin Alfred 135 

Helen (Snow) 135 

MORRISON. 
Caroline Amanda (Ford) 374 

PAYSON. 

Bancroft 36, 

Elisha 36, 

ELIZAr.ETH, wife of Bcnj.34, 

Jonathan 

Nathaniel 36, 

Sarah 36, 

RAMSDELL. 

Ann (Snow) 

Blanche 

Ellen A 

Ethel P 

Myrtle S 

SCHERFENBERG. 



.34. 



37 
37 
35 
34 
37 
37 



191 
191 
191 
191 
191 



Eaura Margaret. 
Martha (Cater) . 
Ruth Martha... 



226 
226 
226 



SIEFERT. 

Charles Ernest 

Charles Mcintosh 

Charles Morrison 

Edward Payson 

Ernestine Harriet 

Geor,q:e Ernest 

George Jameson 151, 

Irene Madeline 

Marion .Xlexander 

Mary Elizabeth 

Maurice Harriet 

Ornilla Marguerite 

William A 

William Morrison 

STEPHENSON. 

Ancreline (Snow) 

William 

STOCKER. 

Anne Salome 

Annie Irene 

Eleazer Wheelock 

Erskine Wheelock 

Elizabeth 

Harriet 

Jacob 

Jacob Polhill 341 

Joe 

Joe Wheelock 

T.ouise (Snow) 

Mary Agnes 

Mary Louise 

Ruth 



151 
152 
151 
1=^1 
152 
152 
152 
151 
152 
151 
151 
151 
151 
152 



153 
153 



341 

346 
335 
346 
347 
350 
346 
342 
346 
341 
333 
345 
341 
353 



350, 



.350, 



.350, 



.350. 



Name 

TILESTON. 

Elizabeth 

Timothy 

TUCKER. 

Gardner C 

VAN ANDERSON. 

Helen (Van Moire). . .. 

Jasmine 

Lea J 

Rollo E 

VAN METRE. 

Ben T 

Charles H 

Earl T 

Elizabeth (Stocker) .... 

Florence 

Fred 

Harriet (Stocker) 

Helen Adeline 

John 

Lee 

Mattie B 

Nettie May 

Raymond L 

Ruth (Stocker) 

Teddie B 

Wilbur D 

Will 

WELLINGTON. 

.Agnes (Snow) 

Myrtle C 

WILCOX. 

Jessie (Snow) 

Frank Nelson Sr 

Frank Nelson Jr 

Margaret (Knowlton) 295, 

Owen N 

Ruth 

WILLETT. 

Louise (Snow) 

WILLIAMS. 

Amanda (Snow) 

P'lorencc M 

Fred M 

Vesta F 

WILSON. 

Anne S. (Stocker) 

Edwin Wheelock 

Eugene Douglas 

James Donald 

M-irjorio Louise 

Mar3' Edith , 

WYMAN. 

Alice M. (Snow) 

1 Caroline Henrietta 

I Edwin Theodore 

; Fu'Tone Barry 

i Theodore H 



Pagf 



35 
34 

113 

353 
356 
356 
356 

351 
352 
351 
347 
351 
.351 
3:0 
352 
350 
351 
351 
352 
351 
353 
351 
351 
351 

229 
22? 

305 
308 
315 
315 
315 
315 

112 

228 
228 
228 
228 



341 
341 
342 
3-12 
.342 
342 



379 
3^0 
3^0 
380 
379 



y 



^ 



c 



iE/lo'32 



i 



tUo J2 



